.png)
A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones come together. Joints can be rigid, such as those between the bones in the skull, or mobile, such as the knee, hip and shoulders. Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the functionality of the joints.
What do we define arthritis?
The term arthritis encompasses a group of conditions that cause damage to the joints, resulting in pain and stiffness. Arthritis can occur in almost any joint in the body. Depending on the cause, we have different types of arthritis.
What causes arthritis?
In arthritis, various diseases and conditions affect the joints, causing structural damage and affecting their functionality. There are dozens of different types of arthritis, which can be divided into three main groups, depending on the cause:
- Degenerative arthritis, such as osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid, psoriatic and crystal arthritis
- Infectious or septic arthritis
What do we need to know about each category?
Degenerative arthritis
They are due to the natural wear and tear of the joints. They are common in people over 50 years of age, and more rarely occur in younger people due to an injury. The most common degenerative arthritis is osteoarthritis.
Inflammatory arthritis
They include arthritis, in which the human immune system attacks the tissues of the body itself, including the tissues of the joints, resulting in a decrease in mobility and functionality. A subclass of inflammatory arthritis is those caused by crystals rather than an autoimmune condition. In these conditions, crystals - the body's "waste products" - accumulate in and around the joint, causing inflammation and arthritis.
Finally, there are infectious or septic arthritis, urgent conditions that require immediate intervention. In these arthritis, microorganisms invade the joint, causing severe symptoms. If neglected, the sepsis can spread to the rest of the body.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
The most common symptoms are:
- pain
- joint stiffness (decreased movement)
- joint swelling
- irritation (redness) and heat in the joint
- general symptoms, such as tiredness, weight loss or feeling unwell
How is arthritis diagnosed and investigated?
Diagnosis involves clinical examination, history taking, laboratory tests and imaging tests. Through these procedures, a diagnosis of the exact cause of the arthritis is made and, accordingly, a decision is made on how to treat it.
What is the treatment of arthritis?
Treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis and the type of condition that causes it.
For degenerative arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, treatment starts more conservatively (anti-inflammatory drugs and modification of daily activities) and, if necessary, ends with surgery (total arthroplasty). In an attempt to control the rate of progression of arthritis, intra-articular injections with:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Platelet-rich blood plasma (PRP)
- Stem cells (MSCs)
In inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the aim is to stop the course of the disease in time. This is achieved pharmacologically with cortisone, disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs) and biological agents. In the case of arthritis from crystals, the treatment is supplemented by the reduction of the substance responsible.
Finally, in the case of infectious or septic arthritis, immediate intervention with antibiotic treatment is required
Inference
Arthritis is a fairly common condition and is caused by many different causes. Its symptoms can be painful and can significantly affect the patient's quality of life. However, early diagnosis and proper treatment can decisively change the course of the disease and significantly improve the patient's daily life.
Bibliography
https://www.onpharm.gr/Blog/Post/6/Page/150/el/Arthritida/
https://www.mitera.gr/arthra-ygeias/arthritida-i-therapeia-tis-exartatai-apo-ti-sosti-diagnosi/
https://www.mednutrition.gr/portal/efarmoges/leksiko-diatrofis/14470-arthritida
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.png)
