|

ortho arthritis

ARTHRITIS ( arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation):

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body.

1. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.2. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of

trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age.3. Abnormal anatomy might contribute to the early development of osteoarthritis.4. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune diseases in

which the body attacks itself.a) If more than 5 joints are invoved,it is known as POLYARTHRITIS.

Eg:Rheumatoid arthritis.,GOUT,Rheumatic fever .

b) If less than 5 joints are invoved,it is known as POSYARTHRITIS.

Eg:osteoarthriis.

5. All arthritides feature pain,morning stiffness,swelling.6. Physical examination may confirm the diagnosis.

TYPES OF ARTHRITIS:

Primary forms and secondary forms.

1) PRIMARY FORMS:

1) Osteoarthritis 2) Rheumatoid arthritis :it is a polyarthritis.3) Septic arthritis : is caused by joint infection.4) Gout : is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation.5) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 6) Still's disease 7) Ankylosing spondylitis 8) pseudogout :Uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium

pyrophosphate. This gout is known as pseudogout.

2)SECONDARY to other diseases: Lupus erythematosus Henoch-Schönlein purpura Psoriatic arthritis Reactive arthritis Haemochromatosis Hepatitis Wegener's granulomatosis (and many other vasculitis syndromes) Lyme disease Familial Mediterranean fever Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with recurrent fever TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome Inflammatory bowel disease (Including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis).

Diseases that can mimic arthritis include:Hypertrophic osteoarthropathyMultiple myeloma: is a cancer of plasma cells.OsteoporosisFifth disease (parvovirus infection): Erythema infectiosum: The name "fifth disease" derives from its historical classification as the fifth of the classical childhood skin rashes or exanthems.

Bright red cheeks r seen.

TREATMENT:lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control)medications and dietary supplements (symptomatic or targeted at the disease process causing the arthritis).Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required in eroding forms of arthritis.

DIAGNOSIS:Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to make the diagnosis. Screening blood tests are indicated if certain arthritides are suspected. These might include: rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen, and specific antibodies.