Types of Arthritis

There are many types of arthritis. Here we only discuss the common types:-

Rheumatoid arthritis

This is the commonest form of chronic inflammatory joint disease. It is also known as rheumatism or synovitis. It usually affects people over 40 years of age and females are more prone. It affects small and large peripheral joints, with systemic disturbance to other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, eyes, nerves and muscles.

The discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis develops slowly and tends to be most severe on awakening. Rheumatoid arthritis in older people may cause deformities of hands and feet as muscles weaken, tendons shrink and the ends of bones become abnormally enlarged.

If the treatment is started at an early stage of the disease, it gives relief in most people. Generally symptoms may progresses for five years or more, eventually tending to stabilize or decline the movement of joints. So, permanent disability can be prevented by early treatment.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

It is an inflammatory arthritis characterized by persistently negative tests for rheumatoid factor associated with a number of other common features like chronic fever and anemia and secondary effects on the heart, lungs, eyes and nervous system. It commences in childhood before the age of 16 years.

In some cases, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis presents with high fever, pericarditis, mono or polyarticular synovitis, with progressive erosion of cartilage. Here, the rheumatoid factor is not present in the blood. This typical type is called Stills disease.

In children younger than the age of five, juvenile arthritis attacks can last for weeks and recurrence is also possible, but symptoms may be less severe. Patients require heavy physical therapy and exercise. Now-a-days permanent damage is rare.

Infectious arthritis

Infective arthritis can accompany septicemia at any age. It is usually a complication of an injury or some other disease. It is less common than arthritic conditions that come on with age. Symptoms have an abrupt onset with severe pain and swelling of a single joint associated with a swinging fever, severe malaise or primary injury.

Large joints (arms and leg joints) are most frequently affected. Generally the joint is hot, tender and swollen with marked limitation of movement. The diagnosis may be missed and if left untreated, can result in permanent disability.

Psoriatic arthropathy or Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis or arthropathy is a complication of psoriasis – the joint/s get affected due to the progression of the psoriasis. This can be reversed by treating the psoriasis. Please click here to read more about psoriasis.

Osteoarthritis

It is also known as arthrosis or degenerative joint disease. It is not a single disease. Rather it is the end-result of a variety of patterns of joint failure. It is a degenerative and destructive disorder of the hyaline cartilage and adjacent bone of joints. It is the most common form of arthritis, particularly in the elderly. In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage at the end of the bones in joints, gradually wears away and the inner bone surfaces become exposed and rub against each other.

It generally confines to one or only a few joints in a majority of patients. The joints most frequently involved are those of the spinal joints, hips and knee joints (weight-bearing joints).

The mechanism of osteoarthritis is generally unknown, but some people have a genetic predisposition. Misuse of steroids can also bring about an early onset of the disease. It may be due to trauma, joint mal-alignment, foreign bodies and damaged cartilage from septic arthritis.

The symptoms are gradual in onset; pain and stiffness develops gradually. Pain is usually made worse by exercise, whereas stiffness in the morning or after inactivity improve with movement. As the disease progresses, movement in the affected joint becomes increasingly limited and tenderness and a grating sensation develop and a crepitus may be felt on joint movement. Overgrowth of all tissues in and around the joint causes joint enlargement. Associated muscle wasting occurs as the disease progresses, causing increasing instability and the joints become more prone to injury. Locking of joints may occur, if bony outgrowths (osteophytes) protrude into the joint cavity.

Other arthritic conditions include ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine), bone spur (bony growths on the vertebrae or other areas), gout (crystal arthritis), and systemic lupus (inflammatory connective tissue disease).

Healthy joint — Cartilage cushions the ends of bones at the contact points. Synovial membrane lines the joint cavity and secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint.
Osteoarthrits (wear and tear arthritis) — Gradual deterioration of cartilage after years of use causes rubbing between bones, creating friction and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis — Inflamed synovial membrane and excess fluid causes cavity to swell which causes the cartilage to break down.