Arthritis

Definition

Arthritis involves inflammation of one or more joints and the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk or otherwise bear weight. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

See also joint pain.

Alternative Names

Causes

You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

• Broken bone
• Infection (usually caused by bacteria or viruses)
• An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign)
• General "wear and tear" on joints

Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared.

With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:

• Being overweight
• Previously injuring the affected joint
• Using the affected joint in a repetitive action that puts stress on the joint (baseball players, ballet dancers, and construction workers are all at risk)

Arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people.

Other types or cause of arthritis include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (in adults)
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Gout
• Scleroderma
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis)
• Adult Still's disease
• Viral arthritis
• Gonococcal arthritis
• Other bacterial infections (non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis)
• Tertiary Lyme disease (the late stage)
• Tuberculous arthritis
• Fungal infections such as blastomycosis