A gnawing pain at the joints with even minimal movement can cause excruciating pain in people suffering from joint problems. Some symptoms may include swelling of the joints, limited joint movements, joint stiffness and redness at the joints. Joints can become worn down with overuse, or the body can initiate an autoimmune attack on the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
MedlinePlus says rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease characterized by such initial symptoms as fatigue, a poor appetite, morning stiffness that lasts for one hour, muscle aches and weakness. As the joint disease progresses, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to such symptoms as joint warmth, tenderness and swelling. Typically, the joint pain is symmetrical and can affect wrists, fingers, elbows, shoulders, hips, toes or the neck.
The cause for rheumatoid arthritis is not known. It's an autoimmune disease in which certain immune cells damage healthy joint tissues.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis involves taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as methotrexate and antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine. Other medications include corticosteroids and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib. The list continues with biologic agents such as abatacept, and tumor necrosis inhibitors such as adalimunab.
Osteoarthritis
The University of Maryland Medical Center says osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Its symptoms include deep-seated joint pain that worsens with movement and improves with rest, a cracking sound with movement (crepitation), morning stiffness, muscle weakness and limited range of motion. Strange growths can also develop near joints (Heberden's nodes).
Risk factors for osteoarthritis include obesity, joint injury, family history, joint injury and repetitive joint use.
Treatment for osteoarthritis includes losing weight, participating in low-impact exercises, physical therapy and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Corticosteroid medications, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and arthritic joint fluid medications are other types of treatments.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis refers to pelvic and spinal arthritis. Morning or night stiffness, back pain, fatigue and hip pain are some symptoms of this disease. According to MedlinePlus, ankylosing spondylitis can affect people between their 20s and 40s. Sometimes, this disease can affect children younger than 10.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can decrease the pain and inflammation associated with ankylosing spondylitis. Corticosteroids can reduce the immune system's activity. Surgery can be used to repair any damaged joints.
