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Arthritis : Both Types are Painful
Arthritis is used to describe more than
100 diseases and conditions that affect the joints, their surrounding
tissues, and other connective tissues. It causes pain, physical
disability and use of healthcare services in Canada.
According to the Arthritis Society's Ontario Division 2001 Annual
Report, arthritis and other rheumatic conditions affected nearly 1.4
million men, women and children in Ontario.
Two Types
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint
disease results in a breakdown of joint cartilage and changes to
underlying bone and supporting tissues. This leads to pain and
stiffness, problems with movement, and limits a person's activity. It
generally affects the hands, knees, hips and feet. The cause hasn't been
identified yet and can develop for no apparent reason or it can start as
the result of an injury. When cartilage is destroyed (as in
osteoarthritis), the bones of a joint can grind against each other. This
grinding results in pain, a loss of mobility, deformity and dysfunction.
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by long-term inflammation of the
lining of joints. This results in pain, stiffness and swelling in
multiple joints. Some experts believe that rheumatoid arthritis is an
autoimmune condition because the body attacks the tissue that lines its
own joints. It generally starts in the hands and feet and moves to other
joints in the body.
Treatment
There is no cure for arthritis. Treatment
only attempts to reduce pain, prevent disability and maintain the
function of affected joints. It can include physiotherapy, exercise
programs, pills and sometimes injections of medication into affected
joints. For severe cases of arthritis, surgery might be recommended.
You can reduce the possibility of becoming arthritic by maintaining a
healthy weight. If repetitive movement is part of your job, ask a health
care professional for advice on how to minimize the risk of arthritis.
If you are an athlete or like to exercise a lot, get advice on how to
exercise properly. If you injure a joint, get medical care and
rehabilitation to help prevent further damage.
To learn more about arthritis talk to your family doctor or another
health professional, or contact your local public health unit.
For more information about a wide variety of health topics, visit
HealthyOntario.
