Ortho & Joints

Osteoarthritis

The most common type, osteoarthritis is the “wear-and-tear” form that increases with age. Cartilage that normally cushions the joint breaks down over time, leading to stiffness and pain, especially with movement. With hip arthritis and knee arthritis, walking becomes more difficult as pain builds and flexibility decreases. Adults in their 50s and older are more likely to develop this chronic, progressive disease, and women are more vulnerable.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition affect the lining of the joints. Cells of the immune system that normally don’t belong in the joints accumulate there in large numbers, Fox says. As the immune cells interact with the local joint cells, he explains, it causes ever-increasing inflammation, with eventual damage and destruction of cartilage and bone.

Polyarthritis 

Polyarthritis is any type of arthritis that involves 5 or more joints simultaneously. It is usually associated with autoimmune condition 

Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear in the cervical spine (neck) that can lead to neck pain, neck stiffness and other symptoms.

Lumbar spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis is an age-related degeneration of the vertebrae and discs of the lower back. It is a degenerative condition affecting discs, vertebral bodies, and associated joints of lumbar vertebrae.

Spondyloarthritis

Also known as spondylitis, this umbrella term covers certain other rheumatoid diseases. Axial spondylitis involves inflammation in the spine and can eventually lead to spinal fusion, or ankylosing spondylitis. Enteropathic arthritis is a possible complication of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. Psoriatic arthritis, which is associated with the skin condition psoriasis, tends to affect the joints of the hands and feet.

Ankylosing spondylitis

It mainly affects the spine. Pain and stiffness are the primary symptoms and the condition can lead to the bones of the joints being fused together.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

 Also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, JIA is the most common chronic joint condition in kids. In this autoimmune condition, the child’s immune system attacks the body’s own healthy tissue. It’s called “idiopathic” because the cause is unknown. Inflammation from JIA may affect the muscles, joints, ligaments, internal organs and even the eyes. An added concern is that JIA can alter children’s normal growth.

Gout

This type of arthritis most often affects the joint connecting the big toe to the rest of the foot. In gout, excess uric acid – a waste product in the blood – forms crystals in the joints. Gout flare-ups, which are extremely painful, frequently strike in the middle of the night. Men are more likely to have gout, although women become more vulnerable after menopause.

Bursitis

Bursitis involves inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the joints and surrounding tendons, muscles and bone. With bursitis, overuse or sudden injury of joints such as the hip, elbow and shoulder can lead to flare-ups. Bacterial infections can sometimes cause bursitis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

It is a condition where psoriasis of the skin is linked to joint inflammation, commonly in the outmost joints of the extremities. Skin symptoms generally present before joint problems are detected.