Arthritis

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis is a type of rheumatic disease that causes aches, pains and inflammation in joints and muscles. Over 9 million people in the UK have the disease, which has over 200 forms. All forms include the main symptoms of;

• Stiffness;
• Pain;
• Restricted movements of the joints;
• Swelling; and
• Warmth and redness of the skin over the joint.

Contrary to popular belief, Arthritis does not just affect the elderly, but can affect people of any age, including children.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF ARTHRITIS?

The two most common types of Arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Osteoarthritis
This is the name for degeneration of the connective tissue (cartilage) within a joint. The bone underneath thickens to compensate, resulting in knobbly outgrowths called ‘osteophytes’. The synovial membrane surrounding the joint thickens narrowing the fluid filled space within it.

As the condition progresses, bits of cartilage can break away, causing the ends of bones to rub together thereby straining the ligaments. This causes pain and can also change the shape of the joint. The joints which are most often affected are the hands, spine, knees and hips.

Osteoarthritis can occur at any age, although it becomes more likely with age, and is more likely to affect women than men.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is also known as inflammatory Arthritis, and is more severe, but less common than Osteoarthritis.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis affectsbetween 1-3% of the population. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s defence mechanisms attack its own joints. The condition can affect different people to different degrees, but many have ‘flare-ups’ where pain and stiffness become worse momentarily. Some people with rheumatoid Arthritis also display flu-like symptoms and can feel generally unwell or tired.

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects people of all ages, but is most common between the ages of 30-50. It is three times more likely to affect men than women.

HOW DOES ARTHRITIS AFFECT CHILDREN?

Arthritis in children is often called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). There are three main types of JIA:

• Oligo-articular JIA: which is the most common form of JIA. It affects four or less joints (most commonly the knees, ankles and wrists), has good recovery rates and the effects are rarely long term. Children with this type of condition need to have regular check-ups with an eye specialist, as there is a risk of them also developing eye problems.
• Polyarticular JIA: which affects five or more joints and which has symptoms similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis, often accompanied by a rash or fever.
• Systemic onset JIA: which begins with symptoms such as fever, rashes, lethargy and enlarged glands, and later develops into swollen and inflamed joints. It can affect children of any age.

WHAT CAUSES ARTHRITIS?

There is no single known cause for Arthritis, but several factors may contribute to its development::

• Age: Most forms become more likely with age;
• Sex: Most forms are more prevalent in women;
• Weight: Being overweight puts more strain onto joints;
• Injury: Previous damage to the joint, such as a sport injury.

One theory is that some people are genetically predisposed to the development of Arthritis, but this has not been proven beyond doubt. In most populations, about 1% of people will develop Arthritis.

HOW IS ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSED?

It can be hard to diagnose Arthritis, as there is no single definitive test. Doctors need to piece together information from their physical examination of the symptoms (such as swelling or reduced joint movement) and analysis of the patients’ lifestyle (such as a particular job or favoured sport) which may increase strain on the joints.

X-Rays are used to identify the early stages of Osteoarthritis by observing narrowing of the joints. Blood tests can be helpful in indicating inflammation within the body.

HOW IS ARTHRITIS TREATED?

Arthritis affects each individual differently, be it in different rates of development or progression, degree of movement reduction, or severity of pain. For this reason treatment and management advice will usually be tailored to the individual patient.

For Osteoarthritis, prescribed medications may include:

• Analgesics - i.e. painkillers such as paracetamol;
• Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) – such as aspirin or ibuprofen, although these also have the risk of causing digestive problems and stomach bleeding if taken over long periods or in high doses;
• Corticosteroids – which are injected directly into the affected joints, but which may have bad side effects long term, such as the wasting away of surrounding tissue;
• Arthroplasty - which is surgery to reconstruct or replace a diseased joint. If treated properly, the new joint should last problem free for 10 years or more.

For Rheumatoid Arthritis, the main priority is reducing inflammation. To achieve this, the following additional methods may also be employed;

• Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – these can stop the progress of the disease but may have side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes or hair loss;
• Alternative techniques such as low level laser therapy (LLT) or orally administered corticosteroids, although there is limited evidence of the benefit of these;
• New medicines, such as tumour necrosis factor blockers (TNFs) are also in development

Arthritis cannot be cured but slight lifestyle changes can be made to reduce the amount of stress put onto the joints and need not impact the lives of those affected too negatively. Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists can help devise management strategies or exercise routines to help achieve this.

Losing weight can also reduce the strain placed on joints, particularly the knees. Dietary supplements and complementary therapies such as aromatherapy or acupuncture may also prove helpful.

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Although the information we have provided here is meant to be helpful to you, Douglas Silas Solicitors cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy or reliance placed upon it. If you have any concerns about your child, you should seek professional educational or healthcare advice as soon as possible.