Arthritis is a common condition. Based on data gathered from 2003 through 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 22 percent of American adults had arthritis, which can take many forms. Several different terms for arthritis--arthrosis, arthralgia, and arthopathy--are used to describe the disease.
Word Origin
The words arthritis and arthrosis both originate from the Greek word arariskein meaning "to fit." The Latin word arthron, "joint," then evolved.
Arthrosis
According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, the primary definition of arthrosis is the articulation between bones with the secondary definition being a degenerative disease of the joint. In medical literature, diarthrosis is used to refer to any joint composed of two bones.
Arthritis
Arthritis has only one meaning: the inflammation of joints. It can be modified to show the cause of the inflammation. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects joints as well as the rest of the body. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Similar Words
Two related words are arthralgia and arthropathy. While rheumatism can refer to pain in muscle, fibrous tissue, or a joint, arthralgia means pain specifically in a joint. Arthritis can cause arthralgia. Arthropathy is a disease of a joint or joints. Gout is a form of arthritis. When gout causes the knee to swell, it is referred to as a gout arthropathy.
Procedures
Several medical treatments also have names derived from the root arthro; arthrocentisis, arthroscopy, arthrotomy and arthodesis. Putting a needle into a joint and withdrawing fluid is an arthrocentisis. Arthroscopy refers to putting a small camera into the joint. Surgically opening a joint is an arthrotomy. When two bones that normally form a joint fuse together to create an immobile connection, it is called an arthrodesis. Late stage arthritis can result in an arthrodesis of bones.
