ARTHRITIS: LEARNING ABOUT DISEASE

The Greek word for “joint” is arthro, and itis means “inflammation”- hence arthritis. Although the disease takes many forms, in general it causes aching pain, stiffness, swelling, and often limitation of movement of one or more joints. Inflammation or erosion (or both) of the joints’ inner structures, the ligaments that surround them, and nearby tendons and muscles creates the discomfort.

Arthritis primarily attacks synovial joints; these are the joints that have closed bursal sacs (also the sites of bursitis in other parts of the body) in which movement of the adjacent bones occurs. The fluid inside the bursal sac is called synovia, or synovial fluid. As a joint is developing, two or more parts of the wall of the bursa become cartilage prior to birth, and in time these areas of cartilage become attached to the bones that come together (articulate) in the joint. The strands of fibrous tissue in the outer wall of the bursal sac blend with the fibrous tissue (periostium) that covers the outer surfaces of the bones, and the connective-tissue capsule of the joint is formed. Additional bands of connective tissue are formed in this area, and they are the ligaments that reinforce the joint-capsule wall and also help keep the ends of the articulating bones in position.

The following simplified drawings show some details of the development and structure of a typical joint. Look at them for a few minutes and it will be easier for you to understand the changes that occur in arthritis.

Arthritis can be excruciatingly painful. The usual prognosis is that it will become progressively worse. Patients often develop crippling deformities resulting in more and more severe limitations on bodily movement. And the frequent accompaniments of the disease – headache (often migraine), colitis, asthma, restlessness, fatigue, and depression, among others – bring additional discomfort to its sufferers. But the term arthritis encompasses several different disorders, which share many but not all symptoms.

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ARTHRITIS: LEARNING ABOUT DISEASEThe Greek word for “joint” is arthro, and itis means “inflammation”- hence arthritis. Although the disease takes many forms, in general it causes aching pain, stiffness, swelling, and often limitation of movement of one or more joints. Inflammation or erosion (or both) of the joints’ inner structures, the ligaments that surround them, and nearby tendons and muscles creates the discomfort.Arthritis primarily attacks synovial joints; these are the joints that have closed bursal sacs (also the sites of bursitis in other parts of the body) in which movement of the adjacent bones occurs. The fluid inside the bursal sac is called synovia, or synovial fluid. As a joint is developing, two or more parts of the wall of the bursa become cartilage prior to birth, and in time these areas of cartilage become attached to the bones that come together (articulate) in the joint. The strands of fibrous tissue in the outer wall of the bursal sac blend with the fibrous tissue (periostium) that covers the outer surfaces of the bones, and the connective-tissue capsule of the joint is formed. Additional bands of connective tissue are formed in this area, and they are the ligaments that reinforce the joint-capsule wall and also help keep the ends of the articulating bones in position.The following simplified drawings show some details of the development and structure of a typical joint. Look at them for a few minutes and it will be easier for you to understand the changes that occur in arthritis.Arthritis can be excruciatingly painful. The usual prognosis is that it will become progressively worse. Patients often develop crippling deformities resulting in more and more severe limitations on bodily movement. And the frequent accompaniments of the disease – headache (often migraine), colitis, asthma, restlessness, fatigue, and depression, among others – bring additional discomfort to its sufferers. But the term arthritis encompasses several different disorders, which share many but not all symptoms.*2/295/5*

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