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I can remember the pain—that grinding pain in my knees that used
to make walking a major effort. I had severe osteoarthritis. Since then
I have had two knee replacements, and both are working well. Arthritis gets to nearly everybody sooner or later, slowing us down, forcing us to give up some of our favorite activities, and just generally being a pain in the neck (sometimes literally). In more advanced cases, it can seriously compromise quality of life as sufferers surrender their independence, mobility, and sense of usefulness by being relentlessly worn down by pain. The good news is that arthritis can be managed with a combination of medical care, simple lifestyle changes, and good old common sense. Nearly 43 million Americans—about one in every five adults—have arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. Arthritis is more common among older adults, but it also affects many children and young adults. Sixty percent of people with arthritis are younger than 65. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among American adults, and it limits everyday activities for more than 16 million people. Early and aggressive management of inflammatory arthritis can reduce complications and delay costly procedures. Here is a look at some various types of arthritis and arthritis-related diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis: A chronic inflammation of the spine, this disease can cause the vertebrae to grow together and make the spine rigid. Although the cause is unknown, heredity is a factor. Gout: This form is caused by the buildup of a substance called uric acid, which forms sharp crystals that are deposited in the joint. These needle-like crystals cause severe pain and are most commonly found in the “bunion” joint of the big toe, the knees, and the wrists. Genetic factors, diet, or certain drugs may cause gout. Infectious arthritis: Bacteria, viruses, or fungi that enter the body can settle in the joints, causing fever, inflammation, and loss of joint function. Juvenile arthritis: This is a catchall term for the different kinds of arthritis that strike children under the age of 16. The most common form is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). Pain or swelling in the shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, or toes, chills, a recurring fever, and sometimes a body rash are the typical symptoms of JRA. The cause is unknown. Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis, the cartilage breaks down, exposing bone ends and allowing them to rub together. The result can be pain, stiffness, loss of movement, and sometimes swelling. Osteoarthritis is most often found in the weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, ankles, and spine, but it can also affect the fingers. It may be the result of trauma, metabolic conditions, obesity, heredity, or other factors. Pseudogout: Like gout, pseudogout is caused by the deposition of crystals into the joint, only instead of uric acid crystals, they’re made from calcium. Pain, swelling, and sometimes the destruction of cartilage can result. Psoriatic arthritis: This form of arthritis occurs in people who have inherited the skin condition called psoriasis, which causes scaly and red rough patches on the neck, elbows, and knees, as well as the pitting of the nails. Often settling in the joints of the fingers and toes, psoriatic arthritis can cause the digits to swell up like little sausages. Rheumatoid arthritis: The second-most common form of arthritis, the immune system turns against the body, causing inflammation and swelling that begins in the joint lining and spreads to the cartilage and bone. It often affects the same joint on both sides of the body (for example, both wrists). Arthritis can also be present as part of another condition such as Lyme disease, or as a companion to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or fibromyalgia. Arthritis can strike anyone at any time, and many times it’s difficult to tell whether the pain is serious enough to warrant medical attention. Typical warning signs of arthritis are: joint pain, stiffness or difficulty in moving a joint, and swelling. The warning signs may come in triplicate (pain plus stiffness plus swelling), two together, or one all alone. Or there may be other early signs such as malaise or muscle pain. If you experience any of these or other symptoms in or around a joint for longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor. Proper exercises performed on a daily basis are an important part of arthritis treatment. They help build and preserve muscle strength, keep joints flexible, and help protect joints from further damage. Done carefully and regularly, certain isometric (non-movement) exercises can help strengthen muscles around joints and reduce wear and tear. Joints need to move to remain healthy and well-lubricated. Lack of use is often why many arthritis patients experience joint stiffness when they wake up in the morning. Physical/occupational therapy is designed to help people with arthritis make their lives easier. Physical therapy treatment includes muscle strengthening and range-of-motion exercises. It also teaches ways to control pain without medication. Occupational therapy focuses on obtaining maximum independence and minimizing recurrence through education and treatment techniques. One of the latest breakthroughs in the treatment of arthritis is the use of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate substitutes to slow the progression of osteoarthritis between joint bones and to reduce the associated pain. Chondroitin is believed to promote water retention and elasticity in cartilage and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage. Glucosamine is found in the body largely in cartilage, and over time this connective (protective) tissue plays an important role in allowing the joints to function as they should. As we age and the abuse on our joints begins to take its toll, it can lead to the thinning of cartilage and the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. Many of the medications that are currently offered on the market do not offer relief; they merely mask the pain. But glucosamine has been shown to help rebuild the joint tissue and eliminate the pain that the loss of cartilage causes. |
Managing Arthritis |
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