About Arthritis

• Arthritis is a progressive condition that causes inflammation of and damage to the joints of the body. Though it can affect people of any age, it is more often seen later in life, and is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55.
  
  Though all forms of arthritis feature joint pain and stiffness, the causes vary depending upon the specific type of arthritis.
  
  

Osteoarthritis

• Primary osteoarthritis in the left knee.
  
  Primary osteoarthritis is caused by reduced water content in the cartilage of a joint. The cartilage becomes less resilient as a result of the loss of water, and collagen fibers in the cartilage are likely to become degraded because of this. Degradation of collagen fibers can cause joint inflammation and bone spurs. Primary osteoarthritis is often seen in elderly people, though young people can be afflicted with it as well.
  
  Secondary osteoarthritis is the result of another medical condition which is affecting the patient. These conditions can include obesity, diabetes, inflammatory disease, injury and pregnancy. Symptoms are the same as those seen in primary osteoarthritis. Treatment of the underlying condition can alleviate symptoms and stop further degeneration, though existing damage cannot be reversed.
  
  

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• A healthy joint and one afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. National Institutes of Health.
  
  Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease. Though the cause is not completely understood, it appears that the body's lymphocytes react abnormally, causing hypersensitivity which results in inflammation. While there is a genetic predisposition to the disease associated with a specific lymphocyte (T-cell) protein, not all of those with the predisposition are affected. An apparent causal link has been established with cigarette smoking, and peer-reviewed studies show a link between the disease and herpes viruses Epstein-Barr and Herpes Virus 6.
  
  Rheumatoid arthritis begins in the synovial membrane, which lines the joints and tendon sheaths. This chronic inflammation leads to degradation of the joint surface and the tendons, causing stiffness and eventual loss of function and deformity. As a systemic disease, multiple joints are almost always affected, usually the small joints of the hands, cervical spine and feet. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are also prone to other medical problems due to inflammation, like fibrosis of the lungs, atherosclerosis and renal amyloidosis.
  
  

Septic Arthritis

• Septic arthritis is caused by infection. Bacteria enter the bloodstream through a cut on the skin or from the adjacent soft tissue or bone, and infect the synovial membrane. "Staph," "strep" and gonococcal bacteria are common causes of septic arthritis, but E. coli, salmonella and tuberculosis are also possible culprits. Septic arthritis normally infects only one joint, and it is treated with IV antibiotics and aspiration of the infected synovial fluid. A prompt diagnosis and good general health often allow for a complete cure with appropriate treatment.