All you need to know about Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. Other ones include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Gout. Orthopaedic specialist in Jaipur deals with every such problem.

The symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time. The typical age for developing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is between ages 30 and 50. It can, however, affect children, teens, and younger adults. Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly develops after the age 50 or 60 years, but there are studies that reveal radiographic evidence of OA occurring in women in their 40s.

Symptoms-

Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the most common signs of the disease. Other symptoms include:

• Limited range of motion that sometimes goes away after movement
• Muscle weakness around the joint
• Instability or buckling of the joint
• Inflammation of the eyes and mouth

Causes-

• Wear and tear of a joint from overuse
• Age
• Injuries
• Obesity
• Autoimmune disorders
• Genes or family history
• Muscle weakness

Osteoarthritis: Normal wear and tear causes this and it is one of the most common forms of arthritis. An infection or injury to the joints can enhance the natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Cartilage protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. A reduction in the normal amount of the cartilage tissue causes some forms of arthritis. Your risk of developing it can also be higher if one has a family history of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This is another common form of arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body, resulting in inflammation to joints as well as other body organs.

Treatment-

According to ortho specialist in Jaipur, the main goal of treatment is to reduce the amount of pain one is experiencing and prevent additional damage to the joints. One can also learn what works best in terms of managing pain.

In general, treatment for arthritis involves a combination of:

• Medications and supplements
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Nutrient rich diet
• Regular exercise
• Weight loss            
• Mobility assistance devices, such as canes or walkers
• Improving joint function is also important. The doctor can prescribe a combination of treatment methods to achieve the best results.

Risk factors-

Obesity: Particularly associated with OA, being overweight puts added stress on weight-bearing joints in the body, such as your knees and hips. Losing excess weight can help reduce your risk of developing arthritis.

Overuse injuries: According to Ortho specialist in Jaipur, repetitive stress injuries incurred during exercise, your job, or other activities may increase your risk of developing OA in the affected joint(s) later in life.

Your genes: A family history of autoimmune diseases as well as certain inherited genes may increase your risk of RA and other related types of arthritis.

Smoking: Your risk of developing RA may increase and in turn, it can make the condition worse.