Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health notes that there are over 100 types of arthritis, each of which is either inflammatory or degenerative. The breakdown of cartilage, which is the protective membrane that covers the ends of bones, is the cause of the pain, stiffness and limited mobility associated with arthritis. Severe types of arthritis affect the joints and other organs, cause deformity to the joints and are associated with pain that limits movement.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation explains that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can affect other organs as well. The immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues as if they were allergens. Consequently, the entire body can be affected. A person with rheumatoid arthritis experiences fatigue and fever. MayoClinic.com says that the painful swelling of the lining of the joints leads to bone erosion and deformity of the joints. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early diagnosis and treatment can provide pain relief and prevent or minimize permanent joint damage.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the deterioration of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones where they meet to form a joint. When the cartilage wears away, the bones are exposed and rub against each other. The joints of the hips, knees, hands and spine are most commonly affected. Symptoms include joint stiffness, especially in the early morning or after resting, and pain. Depending on which joint is involved, difficulty with walking, climbing stairs and grasping objects can occur. A family history of osteoarthritis, obesity and injury to or overuse of a joint are thought to be contributing factors for developing the disease. Medication and physical therapy are primary treatments; when they are unsuccessful, surgery may be necessary.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis often associated with the skin condition known as psoriasis. MayoClinic.com notes that psoriasis sometimes develops before arthritis while in other cases the arthritis develops before the skin lesions. The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints. Mild cases involve the joints of the fingers and toes. Severe psoriatic arthritis affects many joints, including the spine. Patients with psoriatic arthritis in the spine experience stiffness, burning and pain, especially in the lower spine and sacrum. With this type of arthritis, there are periods of remission alternating with periods of acute symptoms. The aim of treatment is to reduce inflammation, pain and disability.
