Essential Knowledge of Six Common Joint Disorders
Learn about six key joint disorders, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. Early diagnosis and proper management can improve quality of life. This overview covers rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, spondylitis, gout, and bursitis, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical attention.
Joint issues can stem from injuries, chronic illnesses, nutritional deficits, or aging. Some conditions are temporary and responsive to physical therapy, while others are persistent, painful, and may require surgical treatment like joint replacement. Arthritis, a major contributor to disability worldwide, covers various joint ailments. Below are six prominent joint conditions:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune disease where immune cells attack the joint lining, causing inflammation and cartilage damage. It can affect individuals of any age.
Osteoarthritis
A common form of arthritis among seniors, characterized by cartilage deterioration, leading to stiffness and pain, especially in hands, hips, knees, and spine.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
A chronic condition in children, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, impacting joints, muscles, and sometimes internal organs, hindering growth.
Spondylitis
Also called spondyloarthritis, it involves spinal inflammation. Variants include axial spondylitis (spinal fusion) and psoriatic spondylitis affecting the pelvis and spine.
Gout
Caused by uric acid crystals depositing in joints, mainly the big toe, resulting in extremely painful flare-ups.
Bursitis
Involves inflammation of bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. Overuse or injury can trigger flare-ups in shoulder, elbow, or hip.
Early consultation with an orthopedic specialist is essential upon symptom onset. Often, physiotherapy and medications alleviate pain and promote recovery.
