Arthritis
Arthritis means inflammation of bone or body joint. Arthritides are a group of diseases where the bodies (a person or animal) joints are damaged by arthritis. Arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can make moving feel painful. It is a condition that lasts for a long time[1] and arthritis affects the elderly more than young people.
Tests/Diagnostic
[change | change source]Tests for arthritis include:
- Measure joint movement (by using angles, or if they need mobility aid and other clues), the range of motion
- Symmetry of the disease. Examination of the area, and if the patient has legs that are both the same size (for one example) if the lower body is affected
Tests are not hard and it does not cost much to do them compared to how much they can help get needed treatment. The disease mostly expected to happen[verification needed] as people age so it does not cost much to ask. It it can improve quality of life and prevent disease.
Synovial fluid examination
[change | change source]Another diagnostic method. Below is a table with information in it, for the different arthritides.
| Type | WBC (per mm3) | % neutrophils | Viscosity | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | <200 | 0 | High | Transparent |
| Osteoarthritis | <5000 | <25 | High | Clear yellow |
| Trauma | <10,000 | <50 | Variable | Bloody |
| Inflammatory | 2,000–50,000 | 50–80 | Low | Cloudy yellow |
| Septic arthritis | >50,000 | >75 | Low | Cloudy yellow |
| Gonorrhea | ~10,000 | 60 | Low | Cloudy yellow |
| Tuberculosis | ~20,000 | 70 | Low | Cloudy yellow |
| Inflammatory: Arthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever | ||||
Forms of diseases
[change | change source]There are more than 100 arthritides (kinds of arthritis). The three most common kinds are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Other kinds of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis and septic arthritis (when an area is invaded by bacteria).
Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage in between two bones breaks down. This condition causes the bones to rub together. This kind of arthritis is more common in elderly people. The most common places for this arthritis are the hips, knees, lower back, and neck. There are medicines that can relieve the pain and prevent disability.[4]
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by autoimmunity. Autoimmunity is when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The most common places for this arthritis is in the wrists and the knuckles. It usually starts between the ages of 20 and 40. Children and elderly people can also get this kind of arthritis. There are medicines to slow down the process of this disease. There are also some medicines to relieve pain. It is important to treat this kind of arthritis early.[4]
Gout causes severe pain and swelling. Gout normally affects the big toe. It can also affect heels, ankles, hands, wrists or elbows. Gout is from high levels of uric acid that is in the blood. Gout can cause urate crystals to settle in tissues of joints. Gout creates stone-like shapes. The stone-like shapes build in joints, ligaments and tendons[4] and the kidneys.[verification needed]
Arthritis is more common in older people. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affect women more often than men.[verification needed]
Animals, including dogs and cats, can also get arthritis.[5]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Arthritis". Student Resources in Context. 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ↑ Flynn JA, Choi MJ, Wooster DL (2013). Oxford American Handbook of Clinical Medicine. US: OUP. p. 400. ISBN 978-0-19-991494-4.
- ↑ Seidman AJ, Limaiem F (2019). "Synovial Fluid Analysis". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30725799. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Gout." World of Health. Gale, 2007. Student Resources in Context. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
- ↑ "Healthy Pet: Arthritis". American Animal Hospital Association website. 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.