- Arthritis of the bones usually occurs in the fingers, hips, knees, feet and the spine in the neck and lower back. The degradation of cartilage in the joint causes changes to the surrounding tissue, leading to pain and possible disability. It is the most common form of arthritis in the US, affecting 21 million people. Other forms of arthritis include rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, both caused by autoimmune problems, and septic arthritis, which is caused by infection. Treatment for osteoarthritis includes regular exercise, supportive joint devices, anti-inflammatory or painkilling medications, weight loss if the patient is overweight and in severe cases, surgery, including full joint replacement.
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There are two types of osteoarthritis. Primary arthritis of the bones occurs when the cartilage in a joint becomes less resilient as a result of reduced water content. Because of this, collagen fibers in the cartilage are likely to become degraded. This can cause joint inflammation and bone spurs. Primary osteoarthritis is generally related to age, though young people can be afflicted with it and not all senior citizens will suffer from it.
Secondary osteoarthritis causes the same symptoms but is the result of another medical condition which is affecting the patient. These conditions can include obesity, diabetes, inflammatory disease, injury and pregnancy. Though damage cannot be reversed, treatment of the underlying condition can lessen symptoms and stop further degeneration. - Arthritis in the bones causes a number of symptoms, the main one being pain. It is usually a strong ache if it is only in the joint, though a burning sensation is possible if the surrounding muscles and tendons are also being affected. Loss of movement and stiffness are also common. Sometimes fluid is retained in the joint, often in humid weather, and this increases stiffness and further limits range of motion. Arthritis in the bones can also cause bony overgrowths, sometimes referred to as "nodes" if they are in the smaller joints, like the fingers. Nodes may not be painful, but they may substantially limit the movement of the joint.
- Arthritis in the bones is suspected when a person has pain in the joints listed above. A doctor will then check for other symptoms in the affected joint, like a build up of fluid, bony protrusions or muscle weakness. Normally, this physical exam is enough to confirm the presence of osteoarthritis, but the doctor may run blood tests to rule out other conditions, or he may order an X-ray, which will show a lack of cartilage in the joint.
- There are a number of risk factors for arthritis in the bones. Though it can affect people of all ages, it is more common in senior citizens. Past injury or repeated stress to a joint also elevates one's risk, as does a family history of arthritis in the bones. Finally, being overweight and largely sedentary predisposes patients to this condition, as the extra weight and lack of activity can weaken weight-bearing joints and their supporting muscles.
