The tin man conjures up images of a stiff individual who simply needed an application of oil to his joints in order to promote better movement. Stiff joints in people can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Fortunately, the causes of stiff joints have specific treatment options.
Osteoarthritis
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (NIAMS) says that osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the cartilage within the joints. Cartilage is a tissue that between bones that serves as a shock absorber.
Specific osteoarthritis symptoms include stiff joints, reduced range of motion, joint swelling, joint tenderness, joint redness and joint pain. Osteoarthritis typically affects people who are older but it can also affect young people who suffer sports injuries.
The NIAMS says that risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include joint trauma, old age, being overweight and having stress placed on the joints due to sports. Other risk factors include having deformed joints and having a genetic defect of the joint cartilage.
Treating osteoarthritis involves losing weight (if overweight), exercising, using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and resting. Sometimes, surgery may be indicated to replace or repair the affected joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammation affecting the joints. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint stiffness in the morning, joint pain, joint swelling and fatigue. The Cleveland Clinic states that rheumatoid arthritis affects 1 percent of the United States population.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own joints.
Treating this condition involves taking such medications as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids, celecoxib and biologic agents. Also, getting rest and exercise may be beneficial in managing rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes, surgery is necessary to replace or repair the damaged joints.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
The Mayo Clinic indicates that polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that is associated with such symptoms as joint stiffness and muscle aching in the neck, upper arms, shoulders, hips and thighs. Other symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include fatigue, unintentional weight loss, a fever, anemia and weakness.
It is unclear what cause the immune cells to attack the joints in polymyalgia rheumatica but risk factors for this condition include being older (around 70 years of age), being a woman, being white and suffering from giant cell arteritis, a condition in which the arteries in the temples become inflammed.
Treating polymyalgia rheumatica involves taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids.
