Arthritis and Other Joint Conditions

Arthritis Types

Rheumatoid Arthritis OsteoArthritis Infectious (Septic) Arthritis

Other Joint Conditions

Gout Pseudogout Torn/Strained Ligaments Torn Cartilage Tendinitis Bursitis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Description: Inflames Synovial Membranes in joint Abnormal Immune System Activity Synovial Tissue Thickens Causes ongoing inflammation and

cartilage breakdown

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, swelling in joints of hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, knees, and neck

Diagnosis: joint examination, medical history, several tests

Risk Factors: Age, Gender (female), genetic susceptibility, smoking

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment:

Physical Therapy: exercise, heat/cold, massage

Occupational Therapy Biofeedback (to control pain) Counselling Accupuncture Supplements Blood Filtering (severe cases)

OsteoArthritis

Description: Cartilage breakdown in joints; eventually can cause bone damage

Symptoms: pain in joints, limited Range of Motion, tenderness/swelling, creaking joints, deformity

OsteoArthritis

Diagnosis: Physical Exam, X-Rays, Blood Tests

Risk Factors: Age, Gender (female), previous joint injuries, obesity, weak thigh muscles (for knee), contracting gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or hemochromatosis

OsteoArthritis

Treatment: Medications: NSAIDS, Acetomeniphen,

corticosteroids, hyaluron injections Surgery: arthroscopy, osteomoty,

joint replacement, hip replacement, arthrodesis (fusing)

Infectious/Septic Arthritis

Description: joint inflammation as a result of an infection by bacteria, virus, parasites, or fungi; can damage tissue

Symptoms: joint pain, redness, swelling, decreased ROM, weight loss, fatigue, fever/chills

Infectious/Septic Arthritis

Diagnosis: blood tests, bone scans, X-Rays, MRI, CT scans, Bone Biopsy

Risk Factors: weakened immune system, metal inplants (joints, screws), diabetes, removed spleen, gonorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, immuno-depressant drugs

Infectious/Septic Arthritis

Treatment: Treat infection: antibiotics, antiviral

drugs Drain fluid around joint Surgery

Gout

Description: High concentration of urate crystals in blood

Symptoms: inflammation/tenderness, pain, redness (usually in the foot)

Diagnosis: Urine Tests, Blood Tests

Gout

Risk Factors:Excessive alcohol consumption, High BP, Diabetes, High cholesterol, Genetics, Age, Gender (male)

Treatment: Medication: NSAIDS, corticosteroids,

uric acid lowering medications Adjust diet and alcohol consumption

Pseudogout

Description: Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate crystals in blood

Symptoms: inflammation, tenderness, redness, joint pain

Diagnosis: X-Rays, Joint fluid analysis

Pseudogout

Risk Factors: Age, Joint trama, Genetic disorder, Excess iron in blood

Treatment: Medications: NSAIDS, Colchicine Joint Aspiration Rest

Torn/Strained Ligaments

Description: Stretched/Torn Ligaments (ligaments hold bones together in a joint)

Symptoms: Pain, Swelling. Limited mobility, Joint instability

Diagnosis: Physical Exam, X-Rays, MRI

Torn/Strained Ligaments

Risk Factors: Previous injury, “loose” ligaments

Treatment: RICE Rehabilitation Medication: NSAIDS Surgery

Torn Cartilage

Description: torn cartilage (cartilage is the soft tissue between bone ends in a joint)

Symptoms: instant pain, swelling, “locked” joint

Diagnosis: Physical Exam, MRI

Torn Cartilage

Risk Factors: none known Treatment:

Rehabilitation Arthroscopic Surgery Invasive Surgery

Tendinitis

Description: inflammation of or microtears in tendon (tendon connects muscle to bone)

Symptoms: gradually increasing pain, sore to touch, swelling, stiffness

Diagnosis: Physical Exam, Medical/ Activity History, MRI, X-Rays

Tendinitis

Risk Factors: repetitive tasks Treatment:

Ice/Heat “Cho-Pat” Straps NSAIDS Surgery

Bursitis

Description: Swelling of the bursa (fluid pouch around joint)

Symptoms: Swell/Pain when pressure applied, pain, stiffness

Diagnosis: Physical Exam, Medical History, Draw Bursa Fluid for testing

Bursitis Risk Factors: Repetitive tasks;

people who work on their knees (carpet layers, roofers, gardeners)

Treatment: Medications: NSAIDS, Corticosteroids Ice Drain extra fluids Surgery