If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Nearly one in three adults suffers from arthritis or other chronic joint symptoms. Arthritis is the most common chronic ailment among the elderly, although it can affect people of any age, including children.
Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, or "wear and tear" arthritis. This is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage cushioning the joint slowly wears away. The bones then rub together whenever the joint moves, and the fluid-filled capsule enclosing the joint, the synovium, becomes inflamed. The bone ends may thicken to compensate for the increased friction, and bone spurs may form at the edges of the joint.
At first, discomfort and stiffness are mild and can be relieved with rest. Then, as OA progresses, the joint becomes increasingly stiff and inflamed, difficult to move, and very painful even when at rest.
OA frequently affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and spine. Although it can occur to anyone at any age, OA most often affects the elderly, particularly women. Risk factors include obesity, a family history of the disease, previous injury or infection in the joint, and an injury that puts increased pressure on the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis, is a chronic condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the joint lining, causing it to swell. This autoimmune disorder can cause pain even when the joints are not being moved. RA is the most common inflammatory arthritis affecting the hips and knees. It tends to affect joints on both sides of the body at the same time, so if you have RA in one knee, you are likely to have it in the other.
• RA of the hips often presents as a dull ache in the groin, outer thigh or buttocks. The pain may make walking or other movements difficult, and it is often worst in the mornings.
• RA of the knees may make it difficult to bend or straighten the knee, leading to trouble walking, climbing stairs or kneeling. The knee may feel weak and susceptible to locking or buckling. As with RA of the hips, the pain and swelling are usually worst in the mornings or after resting.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is arthritis that develops after an injury to a joint, such as a fracture, dislocation, ligament injury or meniscus tear. It is similar to osteoarthritis and can occur months or years after the original injury.
The team at Summit Orthopedic Specialists offers a variety of non-surgical and surgical treatment options to help relieve your pain and restore mobility. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Summit at (916) 965-4000.
Learn more about arthritis symptoms, prevention and treatment.