What is arthritis?

Definition

Arthritis is a common disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be felt in the joints, skin and organs of the body. In most cases, the knees, hands, shoulders, elbows, hips, fingers or balls of the feet are affected. The disease is uncommon in the rural black population but, in urban areas, it affects between 1 to 2% of adults of all ethnic groups.

Research has shown that there are over 100 types of arthritis and a diagnosis of the specific type can only be given after a thorough examination.

Arthritis causes the most damage in the first six months from onset of the condition.

Causes

Determining the cause of arthritis can be difficult, because often several factors contribute to an individual developing this common problem.

Some of the risk factors that can cause arthritis include the following:

• • Genetics. Exactly how much heredity or genetics contributes to the cause of arthritis is not well understood. However, there are likely genetic variations that can contribute to the cause of arthritis.

• • Age. Cartilage becomes more brittle with age and has less capacity to repair itself. As people grow older, they are more likely to develop arthritis.

• • Weight. Because joint damage is partly dependent on the load the joint has to support, excess body weight can lead to arthritis. This is especially true of the hips and knees that can get worn quickly in heavier persons.

• • Previous injury. Joint damage can cause irregularities in the normal smooth joint surface. Previous major injuries can be part of the cause of arthritis. An example of an injury leading to arthritis is a tibia plateau fracture, where the broken area of bone enters the cartilage of the knee joint.

• • Occupational hazards. Workers in some occupations seem to have a higher risk of developing arthritis than in other jobs. These are primarily high demand jobs such as assembly line work and heavy construction.

• • Some high-level sports. It is difficult to determine how much sports participation contributes to development of arthritis. Certainly, sports participation can lead to joint injury and subsequent arthritis. However, the benefits of activity probably outweigh any risk of arthritis.

• • Illness or infection. People who experience a joint infection (septic joint), multiple episodes of gout, or other medical conditions may develop arthritis of the joint.

Common forms of arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a chronic disease. There is inflammation in the joints caused by cartilage damage. Anyone who has this will suffer long-term joint damage that will lead to chronic pain and disability. Pain is usually felt when waking up in the morning and will then gradually disappear during the day.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a problem that cannot be cured. The onset happens in three stages: the first is swelling; the second is the rapid division and growth of cells; and the third is when these cells release enzymes that will destroy the bone, causing the joint to lose shape until the person will not be able to move it anymore.

Since this is a systemic disease, it can spread and affect other organs in the body. Early detection is important so that the disability of the sufferer can be prevented.

Osteoarthritis

This occurs more often than rheumatoid arthritis but, unlike rheumatoid arthritis, there is no inflammation present. The cartilage in the joint is damaged and will eventually degenerate. Pain will be felt when the person wakes up but will increase later in the day.

Osteoarthritis can either be primary or secondary. When it is primary, it is often associated with age. It is similar to a car where the parts have to be replaced due to wear and tear. Doctors consider this to be normal as people grow older.

The secondary type is often associated with another cause, for example a previous injury, heredity, obesity and bone density.

Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with proper medication and therapy. Some medicines offer pain relief to reduce the inflammation.

Osteoarthritis can be treated with medication, exercise, weight control, joint protection,  and physical and occupational therapy. This is done to relieve the pain and slow the progression of the disease.

Given the many medications available to treat this disease, you have to be aware of the side-effects of each before choosing which one to use. The doctor should explain these to you in order to make the right decision.

Other treatments may include:

• • Surgery to replace the affected joint

• • Exercising and physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles around the affected joint

• • Managing weight.

Arthritis in its different forms will not go away. Since this is an incurable disease, the best thing that the doctor and others can do until a cure if found is to help the person ease the pain and slow the progression of the disease.

Arthritis Awareness Day

The Arthritis Awareness Day in October provides an opportunity for the millions of South Africans who have arthritis to re-assess how they are managing their disease and to review the treatment options available. Arthritis Awareness Day aims to support and inspire those with arthritis to manage their condition, and to raise awareness of arthritis in the wider community.

 

Sources

 

Arthritis. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com
What is arthritis? Retrieved from http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org

 

(Revised by M van Deventer)