Expert Talk: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Of Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that impacts the joints (areas where your bones meet and move). Arthritis frequently causes degeneration (wear and tear) or joint inflammation. These modifications may cause pain when the joints are used. While arthritis most commonly affects older people, it can affect men, women, and children of any age.

In an exclusive interaction with Onlymyhealth editorial team, Dr Vivek Mahajan, senior consultant, Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre explains the symptoms, causes and treatment of arthritis.

Types Of Arthritis 

Arthritis is a broad word that encompasses over 100 distinct joint disorders. The most common types are: 

1. Osteoarthritis, or "wear and tear" arthritis, occurs when joint cartilage degrades due to chronic stress. This is a frequent type of arthritis. 
2. Spine arthritis (usually your lower back). 
3. Juvenile arthritis (JA), a condition in which the immune system destroys the tissue surrounding the joints. 
4. Gout, a disorder that causes hard uric acid crystals to grow in your joints. 
5. Psoriatic arthritis, a type of joint inflammation that occurs in patients who have psoriasis.
6. Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which the immune system attacks the synovial membranes of your joints.

Causes Of Arthritis 

1. The causes of various forms of arthritis vary. The actual cause of some kinds of arthritis remains uncertain.
2. Have a family background of arthritis 
3. Work or play a sport that places repetitive strain on your joints. 
4. Have autoimmune diseases or viral infections.

Symptoms Of Arthritis 

Symptoms might range from moderate to severe in certain persons. However, if you exhibit any of the four crucial warning signals listed below, you should visit the doctor. 

1. Pain: Arthritic pain might be chronic or episodic. It can impact any part of the body.
2. Swelling: The skin over the damaged joint becomes red, swollen, and heated to the touch in some types of arthritis. 
3. Stiffness: This is most common when sometimes waking up in the morning, after sitting at a desk for a long time, or after driving in a car for a long time. 
4. Trouble moving a joint: Arthritis or another joint issue may be present if moving a joint 

Treatment Of Arthritis 

The severity of your arthritis, its symptoms, and your overall health will all influence your treatment approach.

Conservative (nonsurgical) therapies 

1. Medication

Anti-inflammatory and pain reliever drugs may aid in the relief of your arthritic symptoms.

2. Rehabilitation

Physical therapy can increase strength, range of motion, and overall mobility. 

3. Therapeutic injections

Cortisone injections may temporarily reduce pain and inflammation in your joints.