What is Arthritis?
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis describes the condition of joint inflammation or damage. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions under the classification of Rheumatic Disease. Each has different effects and requires different treatments but most symptoms can be managed.
The three main categories of arthritis are:
Degenerative (e.g Osteoarthritis)
Inflammatory (e.g Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis)
Crystal arthritis (e.g Gout)
Arthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain and disability in Australia with over 3 million people affected (Access Economics Report 2005).
Arthritis and Rheumatism - what's the difference?
Arthritis means inflammation of a joint. Rheumatism is a general term used to describe any pain in the musculoskeletal system. Not all-musculoskeletal pain is caused by arthritis. Pain can arise from irritation of tissues around joints, such as ligaments and tendons. Minor injury or overuse can also cause local, short-term pain.
Think you may have arthritis?
Arthritis affects everyone differently but common symptoms are:
- pain
- stiffness or reduced movement of a joint
- swelling in a joint
- redness and warmth in a joint
See your health practitioner to describe your pain or symptoms of arthritis. They will likely examine your joints and take tests or x-rays, which may look normal in early stages of arthritis. It may take several visits before your doctor can tell a type of arthritis you have. Your healthcare practitioner may refer you to a rheumatologist, an arthritis specialist, for more tests.
Some of the most common forms of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis where the protective cushion of cartilage at the joint (where bones meet) breaks down. As a result, joints lose their smooth functioning leaving the bones unprotected. This can result in the bone losing shape and thickening at the end to produce bony spurs. Pain from Osteoarthritis ranges from mild stiffness to severe joint pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory arthritis that occurs when the lining of the joints becomes inflamed. This inflammation causes swelling and stiffness, often showing as swollen red joints with increased blood flow that may feel warm to touch.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in some joints, scaly patches on areas of the skin and thickening and pitting of the fingernails and toenails. It begins slowly, usually with signs of swollen finger joints, toes or lower back. There are a number of ways to treat the condition to make it manageable.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a common condition, diagnosed in the past as muscular rheumatism or fibrositis, which affects muscles and ligaments but not joints. The soft tissues and muscles are affected by pain and tenderness, often felt throughout the entire body. There are usually no outward signs (no redness or swelling) yet pain can be pronounced when pressure is applied to tender points.
Gout
Gout is a common painful condition that affects the joints when small crystals form in and around the joint, causing inflammation, pain and swelling. These crystals are made of one of the body’s normal waste products, uric acid, when the kidneys do not process these wastes quickly enough. Gout also runs in families and is most commonly seen in men between 40 and 50 years of age or older people taking diuretics.
Find out more at Arthritis Australia
You can find more information on these types of Arthritis and more at Arthritis Australia. See the latest news and support for Arthritis from this national organisation. You’ll find links to all state groups and multi-lingual information. They offer newsletters, clinical trials, a calendar of events across Australia and a helpline on 1800 011 041.
Remember: Consult your healthcare practitioner
Always check with your doctor or healthcare practitioner before trying new exercise, diet or supplements.
