|
|
Arthritis
Alternate Names : Joint Inflammation
Pictures & Images
Click on an image thumbnail to view full size
|
Osteoarthritis
|
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joint cartilage and bone, often thought to result from "wear and tear" on a joint, although there are other causes such as congenital defects, trauma and metabolic disorders. Joints appear larger, are stiff and painful and usually feel worse the more they are used throughout the day.
|
|
Osteoarthritis
|
Osteoarthritis is associated with the aging process and can affect any joint. The cartilage of the affected joint is gradually worn down, eventually causing bone to rub against bone. Bony spurs develop on the unprotected bones causing pain and inflammation.
|
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis
|
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks itself. The pattern of joints affected is usually symmetrical, involves the hands and other joints and is worse in the morning. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a systemic disease, involving other body organs, whereas osteoarthritis is limited to the joints. Over time, both forms of arthritis can be crippling.
|
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis
|
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease which initially attacks the synovium, a connective tissue membrane that lines the cavity between joints and secretes a lubricating fluid.
|
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis
|
The affect of rheumatoid arthritis can progress to the degree that it is crippling. Deformities distinctive to late-stage rheumatoid arthritis such as ulnar deviation of the bones of the hands, or swan-neck deviation of the fingers occur because muscles and tendons on one side of the joint may overpower those on the other side, pulling the bones out of alignment.
|
|
Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
|
Osteoarthritis is a deterioration of cartilage and overgrowth of bone often due to "wear and tear". Rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation of a joint's connective tissues, such as the synovial membranes, which leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage.
|
Today's Top News Stories | • | Seniors Having More Sex Than Ever - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Study finds big jump in number of those over 70 who are 'doing it' | • | Men Often Not Told of Severity of Wife's Cancer - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Study finds almost 40% say docs never said condition was terminal until near death. | • | Gene Activity May Explain Deadlier Breast Cancers Among Younger Women - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Study finds more than 350 common sets of genes in patients under 45. | • | Breast-Conserving Surgery Leaves Many Cancer Patients Disappointed - Jul 09, 2008, 09:00
Poor aesthetic outcome after lumpectomy linked to depression, fear, study finds. | • | A Blood Marker Could Spot Diabetes Risk - Jul 08, 2008, 16:00
Higher levels of fetuin-A were linked to later disease development, study found
. |
|
 |
Jump to another section
• Definition
• Arthritis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Arthritis Symptoms & Signs
• Arthritis Prevention
• Arthritis Diagnosis & Tests
• Arthritis Treatment
• Arthritis Prognosis
• Arthritis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Gouty Arthritis
• Adult Still's Disease
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Blastomycosis
• Chronic Gouty Arthritis
• Gonococcal Arthritis
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lyme Disease - Tertiary
• Non-Gonococcal (Septic) Bacterial Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• Reiter's Syndrome
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
• Tuberculous Arthritis
• Viral Arthritis
Tests & Exams
• Joint X-Ray
Surgery & Procedures
• Knee Joint Replacement
Other Topics
• Broken Bone
• Chronic
• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Joint Swelling
• Physical Examination
• Weakness
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
|
|
