Arthritis Causes, Symptoms And Types

What is arthritis?

Arthritis’ means inflammation of the joints. It is not a single disorder but an umbrella term for various conditions causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in multiple areas of the body. There are over 100 different types of arthritis[1] and related conditions. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis affects people of all ages, not just the elderly. The pain and stiffness can worsen with age.

Arthritis affects 15 per cent of the population in India, i.e, 210 million, contributing to 22 per cent- 39 per cent share to the global numbers. [2]

Types of arthritis 

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (which causes the wearing out of flexible tissue at the end of bones) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease with inflammation in many joints at once). Other types of arthritis are:

Axial spondyloarthritis:  Axial spondyloarthritis refers to several inflammatory arthritis diseases that affect the spine. This type of arthritis will create swelling and pain in the spine and the joints connecting the bottom of the spine to the pelvis. There are two types of axial spondyloarthritis: 

• Ankylosing spondylitis causes pain and stiffness in the back. The damage to the joints and tissue is visible on X-rays.
• Nonradiographic spondyloarthritis also causes pain and stiffness but cannot be detected via X-rays.

Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis affects people with the skin condition psoriasis. Symptoms include joint swelling and tenderness, which may come and go. Not everyone with psoriasis will develop these symptoms.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is one of the less common forms of arthritis and usually occurs in children under 16 years. Persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness are the usual symptoms, but this condition can also cause growth issues and joint and eye damage.

Gout or metabolic arthritis: Gout or metabolic arthritis is both a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect just about anyone. Gout usually happens when there is an excess build-up of uric acid in the body, solidifying in a joint or surrounding tissue. This formation causes swelling, tenderness, and pain.

Infectious arthritis: Infectious arthritis is caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, by spreading from one area of the body to a joint; often affecting the knee. Swelling, pain and fever are common signs and quick treatment with antibiotics or antifungals usually resolves it. Often these viral infections last only a week or two and then disappear on their own. Some people with infectious arthritis can sometimes require joint fluid drainage to clear infected synovial fluid, decreasing pain and inflammation, and preventing joint damage.

What causes arthritis? 

The cause behind many types of arthritis is yet unknown. Many scientists and health practitioners believe this disease results from a faulty immune system (an autoimmune condition) where the body mistakenly attacks itself. Genetic and family history of arthritis is also a definite cause. 

Then there are external conditions like wear and tear from repetitive movement of a joint, previous injuries, obesity that puts strain on joints, and age. If you are a smoker and do little to no physical activity, you risk developing arthritis. 

Symptoms of arthritis 

Arthritis symptoms are unique to every individual. The symptoms you experience will be different from what someone else has. However, are the common symptoms of arthritis that you should know of:

• Pain 
• Swelling of the joint
• Redness and tenderness of the joint
• Reduced joint mobility because of pain and stiffness
• The symptoms can exacerbate and cause fatigue, weight loss, and a general sickness. 

Arthritis Diagnosis 

Physical examination and taking in your medical history and family history help arrive at a diagnosis. The doctor will order blood tests to look for inflammation or other symptoms of arthritis. They may also take a joint fluid sample. For a look into the damage that the condition may have caused, to detect cartilage loss or shrinking of the joint space, the doctor can order an x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.

Some types of arthritis are difficult to diagnose, and it may take several visits and tests to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist specializing in treating joint conditions.

Arthritis Treatment 

Arthritis treatment is focused on symptom relief and joint function improvement. Figuring out the right course of treatment for arthritis will take time and require patience from your end. To determine what works best for you, you should experiment with various treatments or pairings of treatment options.

Medication: You may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain, counterirritant topical creams, or steroids to reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage. 

Physical therapy: Physical therapy is helpful for some types of arthritis; if needed, your doctor will advise in its favour. Physiotherapy and gentle exercises can help increase mobility and keep the muscles of these joints healthy. 

Surgery: There are times when the joint damage has worsened to the point that medication and physical therapy no longer bring relief and the pain gravely affects your quality of life. In cases of severe joint damage, surgery may be necessary for joint repair, joint replacement, or fusion.

For the surgery, in addition to traditional knee replacement surgery, robotic-assisted knee replacement is also gaining popularity in India due to its precision and effectiveness in total knee replacement procedures. Doctors recommend the best approach based on each patient's individual condition and needs.

Meril Life offers the OPULENT BIONIK GOLD KNEE for those who undergo total knee replacement surgery. This cobalt chrome knee implant is coated with TiNbN (titanium niobium nitride) to slow its wear and tear by 40% compared to regular cobalt chrome implants. OPULENT BIONIK GOLD KNEE is two times stronger than other implants of the same category, and is made with allergy prevention in mind.

Final note

Arthritis is a long-term, degenerative condition that can impact your quality of life. There is also a type of arthritis caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment one can manage symptoms effectively. Knee replacement surgery becomes an option when conservative treatments like drug therapy and physical therapy prove ineffective.

Reference:

[1] https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/understanding-pain/sources-of-arthritis-pain
[2] https://in.investing.com/news/india-account-for-2239-of-global-arthritis-cases-doctors-lay-out-strategies-to-counter-disease-3846092