What types of arthritis are there?*

OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips and knees.

With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes usually develop slowly and get worse over time. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases it also causes reduced function and disability; some people are no longer able to do daily tasks or work.

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain or aching
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion (or flexibility)
• Swelling

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.

RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many joints at once. RA commonly affects joints in the hands, wrists, and knees. In a joint with RA, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, causing damage to joint tissue. This tissue damage can cause long-lasting or chronic pain, unsteadiness (lack of balance), and deformity (misshapenness).

RA can also affect other tissues throughout the body and cause problems in organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.

Signs and symptoms of RA include:

• Pain or aching in more than one joint
• Stiffness in more than one joint
• Tenderness and swelling in more than one joint
• The same symptoms on both sides of the body (such as in both hands or both knees)
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Weakness

FIBROMIALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million US adults, about 2% of the adult population. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it can be effectively treated and managed.

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

• Pain and stiffness all over the body
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Depression and anxiety
• Sleep problems
• Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration
• Headaches, including migraines

GOUT

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is very painful. It usually affects one joint at a time (often the big toe joint). There are times when symptoms get worse, known as flares, and times when there are no symptoms, known as remission. Repeated bouts of gout can lead to gouty arthritis, a worsening form of arthritis.

There is no cure for gout, but you can effectively treat and manage the condition with medication and self-management strategies.

Gout flares start suddenly and can last days or weeks. These flares are followed by long periods of remission—weeks, months, or years—without symptoms before another flare begins. Gout usually occurs in only one joint at a time. It is often found in the big toe. Along with the big toe, joints that are commonly affected are the lesser toe joints, the ankle, and the knee.

Symptoms in the affected joint(s) may include:

• Pain, usually intense
• Swelling
• Redness
• Heat

LUPUS

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects many different parts of the body. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks itself because it cannot tell the difference between healthy tissue and foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.

Lupus symptoms can show up in many different ways and are often mistaken for symptoms of other diseases. This is why it can be hard to diagnose and is often called “the great imitator.” Lupus symptoms can range from mild to life threatening, so early diagnosis and treatment by a rheumatologist are essential. A rheumatologist is a doctor who has additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, lupus, and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.

People with lupus can have many different symptoms, including:

• Fatigue or extreme exhaustion no matter how much they sleep
• Muscle and joint pain or swelling
• Skin rashes (in particular a butterfly-shaped face rash across the cheeks and nose)
• Fever
• Hair loss
• Recurring mouth sores

CHILDHOOD ARTHRITIS

Arthritis in children is called childhood arthritis or juvenile arthritis. The most common type of childhood arthritis is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Childhood arthritis can cause permanent physical damage to joints. This damage can make it hard for the child to do everyday things like walking or dressing and can result in disability. Symptoms may come and go over time. There may be times when symptoms get worse, known as flares, and times when symptoms get better, known as remission. Signs and symptoms include:

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Fever
• Stiffness
• Rash
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Loss of appetite
• Inflammation of the eye
• Difficulty with daily living activities such as walking, dressing and playing

If you (or your child) are experiencing any of the symptoms described here, contact Orthopedic Performance Institute at (210) 545-7171 for a consultation and examination. Although arthritis cannot be reversed, it can be stopped in its tracks — allowing you to live a more healthy, active life.

*Information from the CDC.

The post Types of Arthritis and Their Symptoms appeared first on Orthopedic Performance.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects your joints. It causes pain, swelling and stiffness. If joints on one side of your body have rheumatoid arthritis, usually the joints on the other side do too. It can affect any joint in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can also make you feel sick and tired, and sometimes get fevers.

What’s the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (OA)?

RA is an autoimmune disorder that produces inflammatory joint symptoms throughout the body. OA is a degenerative condition that is the result of increased wear and tear on joints. OA may produce inflammatory symptoms as well, but it primarily destroys joint cartilage over time.

Both RA and OA are more prevalent in women than in men. RA can develop in patients aged 30 to 60 at any time. OA generally develops later in life. Courses of treatment can also vary.

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, including:

• Tender, warm and swollen joints
• Swollen joints on both sides of the body, such as your hands and wrists
• Swelling in other joints, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, hip, knees, ankles and feet
• A feeling of weariness and low energy
• Fever
• Pain and stillness lasting more than 30 minutes in the morning
• Symptoms that go on for years

What causes RA?

Doctors don’t know the exact cause, but they have identified several factors, The immune system normally attacks invaders to the body, such as a cold virus or bacteria, but with this type of arthritis, a person’s immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. Researchers are learning many things about why and how this happens.

Other causes of RA may include:

• Inherited genes
• Environmental factors
• Hormones

Is there a test for RA?

There is no single specific test. It can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often the same as other kinds of joint disease and can take time to fully develop. Doctors use medical history, a physical exam, x-rays, imaging tests and lab tests to make a diagnosis.

How is RA treated?

Fortunately, physicians have many ways to treat the disease, including medications, surgery, regular check-ups and complementary therapies.

Most people with RA take medications to relieve pain, reduce swelling and to stop the disease from getting worse. What a doctor prescribes depends on:

• Your general healh
• How serious the disease is
• How serious it will become
• How long you will take the drug and how well it will work
• Possible side-effects

Depending upon the severity of the disease, surgery may be recommended. It can help to:

• Reduce pain
• Help your joint work more effectively
• Help you to resume your daily activities

Regular medical check-ups are essential in order for your doctor to:

• See if the disease is worsening
• Monitor the effectiveness of the medications
• Check for adverse side-effects
• Change treatment as necessary

Complementary therapies include special diets, vitamins and behavioral changes such as weight loss and joint care.

“Here are OPI we use a multi-disciplinary team approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis,” says Dr. Alexandra S. Matthews. “Often we work with rheumatologists, physical therapists and other health care providers to ensure maximal improvement in pain and quality of life.”

If you have any of the symptoms described above, contact Orthopedic Performance Institute today.

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