Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis means disease or damage to a joint.
There are over 200 types of arthritis, which fall into 2 main groups.
Group 1. Osteoarthritis
This is the commonest form of arthritis. In this condition, the cartilage becomes thinner and damaged and extra bone forms at the edges of the joint. It can result from abnormal stress on the joints, or from many different forms of injury or joint disease. However, many cases develop without any obvious reason. Usually only a few joints are involved. The hips, knees and hands are most likely to be affected, but osteoarthritis can occur in any joint.
Although commonly diagnosed with an x-ray, some people have pain from osteoarthritis with a normal x-ray. Seek specialist advice if you have undiagnosed joint pain.
More information about osteoarthritis can be found here:
www.arc.org.uk
Therapeutic options for osteoarthritis
Many people think that when they are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, they are doomed to lifelong pain and disability. This is untrue. Many therapeutic options are available, and your lifestyle can continue to include many sporting activities. Most will benefit from a therapeutic exercise prescription. Seek help EARLY.
Treatments include:
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Weight management (to reduce joint loading)
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Therapeutic exercise: a customized exercise prescription
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Complementary therapies
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Potential disease modifying drugs
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Effective pain management medications
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Biomechanical interventions
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Injection therapies, including:
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Joint aspiration,
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Joint washouts,
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Corticosteroid injection,
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Note: Only a small minority of people ultimately require a joint replacement!
2. Inflammatory arthritis
This involves inflammation of the joint lining (synovium). This can damage the surface of the joint and the underlying bone itself. Usually many joints are affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is an example, but there are many other forms of inflammatory arthritis, including:
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Gout and pseudogout
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Reactive arthritis
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Arthritis associated with colitis or psoriasis
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Less common disorders that can affect many parts of the body - the connective tissue diseases. An example is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Because there are a variety of types of arthritis, it is important that the correct diagnosis is reached to ensure that treatment is effective. Se your doctor to discuss this. A specialist will often assist in the dagnosis where it is not clear from simple tests.
Treatments for arthritis include:
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a) Exercise regimes to strengthen muscles around affected joints and to maintain a healthy lifestyle and quality of life
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b) Biomechanics and gait analysis to correct for any mechanical changes that can make things worse
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c) Medications not only to control pain but there are effective important medications that can modify the condition
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d) Injection therapies to reduce pain and inflammation and/or to lubricate the joint
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e) Other complementary strategies including acupuncture, massage and relaxation therapies
