Arthritis is a disease that causes joint damage.
Arthritis is very common, especially in people over the age of 50. It causes joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. As we age, some joints naturally wear out. Many people develop arthritis after normal lifelong wear and tear. Some types of arthritis occur after a joint is damaged. Certain health conditions can also cause arthritis.
Arthritis can affect any joint, but the most common are:
▸ Hands and wrists
▸ Knees
▸ Hips
▸ Feet and ankles
▸ Shoulders
▸ Lower back (lumbar spine).
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the most common types include:
▸ Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear arthritis.
▸ Rheumatoid arthritis: Arthritis that occurs when your immune system mistakenly damages your joints.
▸ Gout: Arthritis that causes sharp uric acid crystals to form in the joints.
▸ Ankylosing spondylitis: Arthritis that affects joints near the lower back.
▸ Psoriatic arthritis: Arthritis that affects people with psoriasis.
▸Juvenile arthritis: Arthritis in children and teenagers under 16 years old.
How common is arthritis?
Arthritis is extremely common. Experts estimate that more than one-third of Americans have some degree of arthritis in their joints.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type. Studies have found that about half of all adults will develop osteoarthritis at some point. Generally, osteoarthritis affects adults over the age of 50. Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops in adults between the ages of 30 and 60.
The most common treatments for arthritis include:
▸Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen.
▸Corticosteroids (prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, including cortisone injections).
▸If you have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, you need disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
▸Physical therapy or occupational therapy can help you improve your strength, range of motion, and confidence when exercising.
▸Surgery (usually only done when nonsurgical treatments don't relieve symptoms).
Arthritis Surgery
If you have severe arthritis and other treatments haven’t worked, you may need surgery. The two most common arthritis surgeries are joint fusion and joint replacement. As the name implies, joint fusion is surgery to join bones together. It’s most often done on bones in the spine (spinal fusion) or ankle (ankle fusion). If you have damaged joints or bone loss, you may need arthroplasty (joint replacement). Your surgeon will remove your damaged natural joint and replace it with a prosthesis (artificial joint). You may need a partial or full joint replacement.
How to Prevent Arthritis?
Some forms of arthritis occur naturally or due to health conditions you can’t change, so there’s not always a way to prevent it. However, you can lower your chances of getting arthritis by:
▸Avoid tobacco products.
▸Follow a good-for-you diet and exercise plan.
▸Do low-impact exercise.
▸Always wear appropriate protective gear during any activity that could injure your joints.
