 |
There are two major types of Arthritis that can cause you
pain and suffering.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (äs-tE-O-är-'thrI-tis) is a degenerative joint disease that is caused by
breakdown of joint cartilage with eventual loss of the
cartilage between the bones.
Osteoarthritis not only affects the joints in your hands but
also the joint in your feet, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows
and even your back. Depending on the stage of the disease it
can be very painful and cause joint inflammation and limit
the range of motion.
Most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause, and are
called primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the
osteoarthritis is known, the condition is called secondary
osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid (roo-mah-toid) arthritis is the most common form
of inflammatory arthritis. It affects the thin membrane (synovium) that lines and lubricates the joints in your hands.
Rheumatoid Arthritis causes the membranes of your hands
to thicken and produce chemical substances that damage the
cartilage and bone within the affected joint and the
supporting soft tissue structures such as capsule, ligaments
and tendons.
The disease may involve men or women of any age, but it
is most commonly seen in females in their 20's and 30's.
Rheumatoid Arthritis usually starts in the fingers, hands
and wrists but will over time, spread to the feet, ankles,
knees, hips, elbows, shoulders, spine and even the jaw.
Rheumatoid Arthritis usually affects joints in a symmetrical fashion,
that is, when a joint on one side of the body is involved,
the same joint on the opposite side of the body will be
affected. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience
constant symptoms while others have an "up and down"; course
of bad periods or "flares" and good periods called
"remissions".
|
 |
Top