Arthritis is an inflammation of the body’s joints, which causes pain, deformity and difficulty in movement. Arthritis symptoms can appear in anyone, but they are more common in people over 40 and who are overweight.
Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, can be caused by autoimmune changes, infection or natural wear and tear on the joints, and it is important that the type of arthritis is identified so that the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.
Treatment for arthritis must be indicated by an orthopedist or rheumatologist and is carried out with medication, physiotherapy and exercise, however, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Arthritis symptoms
The main symptoms of arthritis are:
- Pain and sensitivity in the joint;
- Stiffness and difficulty moving the joint, especially in the morning;
- Redness and sensation of heat in the affected joint;
- Joint swelling;
- Muscle weakness and atrophy;
- Deformation in the joint.
Symptoms can affect any joint, but the joints of the hands, feet, neck and knees are more common.
Symptoms can also vary depending on the type of arthritis. Therefore, it is important that a rheumatologist or orthopedist is consulted so that the most appropriate treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent further wear on the joint can be indicated.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
If you think you may have arthritis, describe your symptoms and find out your risk of having the disease:
The symptom test is a tool that only serves as guidance, not serving as a diagnosis nor replacing a consultation with a rheumatologist, orthopedist or general practitioner.
Are arthritis and osteoarthritis the same disease?
Arthritis is a term used to refer to diseases in which there is inflammation of the joints, which can occur either due to aging or as a consequence of immunological changes, infection or trauma.
Osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthrosis, is a type of arthritis in which the cartilage wears away, which causes friction between the joints, leading to the appearance of symptoms such as pain, joint stiffness and swelling, in some cases.
Main causes
Natural wear and tear on the joint is one of the most common causes of arthritis, but this disease can also be caused by excess weight, overuse, age, direct or indirect trauma, genetic factors and due to fungi, bacteria or viruses, which set in through the bloodstream in the joint, generating the inflammatory process.
If this process is not reversed in time, it can lead to complete destruction of the joint and consequent loss of function.
Osteoarthritis generally appears after the age of 40, but younger people can also be affected. One type of arthritis that manifests itself in children is juvenile arthritis. However, its most common form especially affects elderly people over 65 years of age.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis can be classified into some types according to its cause:
- Degenerative arthritisin which the natural wear and tear of cartilage occurs due to aging, genetic changes or excess weight, promoting joint inflammation;
- Rheumatoid arthritiswhich is an autoimmune change in which the immune system itself attacks the body, causing inflammation of the joints;
- Septic arthritiswhich occurs as a consequence of bacterial infection, and is common after surgery;
- Psoriatic arthritiswhich is a consequence of psoriasis, a disease that leads to the appearance of red, scaly plaques on the skin;
- Arthritis goutosawhich happens when there is an accumulation of uric acid in the joints, causing inflammation and stiffness of the joints;
- Reactive arthritiswhich occurs as a consequence of other infections, usually gastrointestinal or urinary, in which bacteria can reach the joints and cause inflammation;
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritiswhich happens in children and which happens when the immune system attacks healthy joint tissues.
It is important that the type of arthritis is identified by the rheumatologist or orthopedist so that the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of arthritis must be made by a rheumatologist or orthopedist based on observation of the signs and symptoms presented by the person, in addition to a physical examination.
In addition, the doctor may recommend an X-ray to check local swelling and joint deformity, as well as a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
To identify the type of arthritis, it may also be recommended to measure rheumatoid factor and uric acid in the blood, in addition to puncturing the synovial fluid of the affected joint, in some cases.
Arthritis treatment
Treatment for arthritis must be carried out according to the doctor’s instructions and aims to alleviate symptoms, as joint wear cannot be completely reversed.
1. Arthritis medicine
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, as well as ointments containing ketoprofen, felbinac and piroxicam, and other substances such as glucosamine sulfate or chloroquine can be prescribed by the general practitioner or orthopedist. When these are not enough, a corticosteroid injection can be used every 6 months or once a year.
To prevent the progression of the disease, medications such as Infliximab, Rituximab, Azathioprine or Cyclosporine, for example, may be indicated.
2. Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physiotherapy can greatly help patients with arthritis. Through physiotherapeutic treatment, inflammation may decrease and it will be easier to perform movements. Anti-inflammatory resources, analgesics and stretching and joint mobilization exercises may be used to preserve joint movements and prevent new deformities from occurring.
Physiotherapy should be performed at least 3 times a week, until arthritis symptoms are completely resolved. It is up to the physiotherapist to decide what resources he will use to treat this disease. Practicing exercises such as swimming, water aerobics and Pilates is also recommended, as they help combat inflammation and help strengthen muscles.
Read too: 8 exercises for arthritis (in the hands, shoulder or knee)
3. Immobilization of the joint
The orthopedist may recommend that the joint be immobilized to help keep the joint at rest and prevent more serious injuries.
4. Surgery for arthritis
In the long term, a form of treatment for arthritis may include surgery, which should be indicated depending on the affected joint. Surgical options may include an arthroscopy, fusion, or joint replacement.
Complete recovery after surgery can take a few months and rehabilitation is usually necessary after the procedure.
5. Food
The diet for arthritis and osteoarthritis should include the consumption of foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, such as fatty fish, nuts and foods rich in vitamin C and fiber. Furthermore, the consumption of processed foods rich in fat and sugar, such as cookies and ice cream, should be avoided, as they promote inflammation in the body, including the joints.
Read too: Diet for arthritis and osteoarthritis: what to eat and what to avoid (with menu)
6. Natural Arthritis Treatment
A great natural treatment to complement the treatment recommended by your physiotherapist or doctor is to drink teas and infusions of medicinal plants, such as ginger and saffron.
Consuming cayenne pepper and oregano daily also acts as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, as does massaging the affected areas with lavender or cat’s claw essential oil.
Is arthritis curable?
Arthritis still has no cure and is therefore a chronic disease, but individuals can resort to different forms of treatment whenever it becomes painful and compromises their daily activities.
To bring pain relief and improve movement capacity, a careful diet is recommended, where you drink plenty of water and avoid excessive consumption of foods rich in protein, in addition to resorting to anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressants, prescribed by the rheumatologist, and physiotherapy.
Surgery to place a joint prosthesis can, in many cases, represent a cure for arthritis in that joint, as occurs in septic arthritis, for example, but it cannot always be performed.
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