Arthritis
General Information
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It causes swelling and tenderness in one or more joints or it is described as any condition where cartilage gets damaged. Arthritis usually occurs in feet, hands, knees and lower back of a body. Some of the common symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and decreased range of motion. In the initial stage of arthritis the pain is caused due to inflammation, but in later stages most of the pain occurs due to mechanical friction between bones which happens because the cartilage is worn out. Dr. Rohit Nalavade explains, the end where the bones form a joint are lined with tough and rubbery layer of tissue that allows frictionless moments of the joint is called cartilage.
There are over 100 arthritis diseases. The most common ones are-
1- Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. In this disease, the cartilage that cushions the joint, wears away, slowly and gradually. The protective space at the end of the bone reduces. This causes bone-on-bone contact and bones to bulge out. This bulging out is called bone spurs. Patient, in severe cases, have a chance of losing mobility of the joint and could become disabled if it reaches spine, knees or hips. Dr. Nalavade warns patients about the grave consequences of leaving arthritis untreated.
2- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease. It is a chronic disease in which it attacks various healthy joints in the body. What makes it different than other forms is that it attacks the same joint on both sides of the body. Furthermore, it inflames the synovial membrane. Dr.Rohit Nalavade defines synovial membrane as fluid-filled sacks between tendons and bones, which secretes synovial fluid that lubricates cartilage of the bone joint. Under this condition, the immune system of the body attacks the tissues rendering the damaged tissues and softened bones. A joint may be deformed or changed in case of severe rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include pain, swelling and loss of functions in the joint. It mostly occurs in the joints of hands and feet.
3- Post-Traumatic Arthritis
When arthritis occurs in the joint, following any injury in that particular joint is known as Post-Traumatic Arthritis. Several years after the surgery conditions like fracture, pain ligament, tear may arise.
4- Psoriatic Arthritis
This form of Arthritis emerges in the joints of the patients that suffer from Psoriasis, condition that causes skin irritation. This form of Arthritis affects the ends of fingers and toes.
Causes of Arthritis
There are different causes of different types of Arthritis. Some of the causes include-
- Wear and tear of joint from overuse or repeated stress
- Muscle weakness
- Family Genetics
- Age
- Pre-existing auto-immune diseases or viral infections
I offer surgical treatment known as Arthroplasty when non-surgical treatments reach fail to provide pain relief. In Arthroplasty, damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one known as prosthesis.
Book a consulting with me to know more.
Our Services
Menu