Physiological Diseases of the human Skeleton

Inflammatory Disorders of joints Joint pain and discomfort can be caused by many factors Bursitis Arthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Gouty Arthritis (Gout)

Bursitis Bursitis is a joint disorder that is most commonly caused by falling on one’s knee It is commonly called “water on the knee” During bursitis the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and may need to be drained of excess synovial fluid

Arthritis Arthritis comes from latin Arth = joints itis = inflammation There are over 100 different forms joint inflammation Out of all the types of inflammation “arthritis” is the most widespread and crippling disease in the U. S.

Arthritis All forms of arthritis have the same initial symptoms pain stiffness swelling Depending on the form of arthritis other symptoms will occur

Osteoarthritis (OA) This is the most common form of arthritis It is a chronic degenerative condition that typically affects the aged. OA affects articular cartilages and is often called “wear and tear” arthritis because over time cartilage will wear down and expose bone.

Osteoarthritis (OA) OA is a very slowly progressing disease of the joints It is usually irreversible but can be managed and controlled with a mild analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is also a chronic degenerative disease It usually starts between the ages of 40 and 50 but can happen at any age RA is an autoimmune disease -- a disorder in which the body’s immune system attempts to destroy its own tissues.

Rheumatoid Arthritis RA affects 3 times as many women as men During RA, pannus, an abnormal tissue that clings to the joint, erodes articular cartilages When this happens scar tissue is formed and can become ossified and even fully fuse bones together

Gouty Arthritis (Gout) Gout is a disease in which uric acid (urea) accumulates in the blood and may be deposited as needle shaped crystals in the soft tissues of joints This leads to an agonizingly painful attack on a single joint The big toe is most commonly affected by gout