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Arthritis Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. There are more than 200 types of arthritis and rheumatic disease with approximately 9 million people in the UK suffering with long term health problems due to arthritis related conditions. Arthritis can affect people of all ages and the most common symptom is joint and musculoskeletal pain. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and this is often manifested by redness, swelling, heat and pain to the affected area. There are more than 100 joints connecting the body’s 206 bones. A joint is where one bone moves on another. The two bones are held together by ligaments which keep the bones in place, while the muscles lengthen and shorten to make the joint move. The bones of joints are capped with a smooth substance called cartilage and this tough elastic material acts as a ‘shock absorber’ and allows the bones to move smoothly across each other. If the cartilage is destroyed, the bones of a joint can grind against each other, causing pain, loss of mobility, deformity and dysfunction.
The joint space between the two bones is enclosed by a capsule which is flexible and strong to protect the joint from dislocation. The inner lining of this capsule is called the synovium and contains and produces synovial fluid; this fluid lubricates and nourishes the joint. In many forms of arthritis the synovial fluid becomes inflamed and thickened, producing extra fluid which contains inflammatory cells. The inflamed synovium and fluid can damage the cartilage and under-lying bone. However, it is the kind of arthritis that a person has that determines the joint disease. The cause of arthritis is unknown but it is important to have a correct and early diagnosis to provide the most appropriate course of treatment. The major goal in the treatment of arthritis is the alleviation of pain and the promotion of independence and empowerment. Treatments may consist of a mixture of medication, physiotherapy, complementary therapies, exercise and sometimes surgery. Some of the different types and definitions of arthritis are listed below:
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