Symptoms of Arthritis – Part 2

Doctors now have treatment protocols that help patients to live more normal lives when these same symptoms and deformities may have left them in a wheelchair just 10 years ago. But, some of the treatment protocols used to correct the imbalances in the body also cause problems. Those who are treated with high doses of aspirin therapy for rheumatoid arthritis may experience tinnitus, liver or kidney damage.

The symptoms of Osteoarthritis, the second of the more common arthritic conditions, are similar but not systemic. In other words, they individual will have localized symptoms in their joints and muscular system but not have the kidney, liver, heart, eye and lung issues that those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis will experience.

Osteoarthritis affects more individuals over the age of 50, and the same number of men and women. When an individual first seeks the advice of their primary care physician they may experience noticeable swelling, chills, or fever during their normal activities at the onset of the condition. The pain and swelling will often limit the function of the joints.

The pain of osteoarthritis (OA) is common in the hands, hips, knees or feet and sometimes is present in the spine. Pain in this disease is usually related to activity in the joint and worse at the end of the day or after a period of heavy activity. As the disease continues to progress the pain will be present even at rest. (4)

Individuals will also experience stiffness in their joints that lasts less than an hour after periods of inactivity such as after a nights sleep or sitting for a long period of time. They will have limited joint motion, tenderness, and possible some joint deformity. And some will experience a condition called ‘crepitus’ or creaking in the joint that is accompanied by pain. They may also have the same crepitus in other joints that don’t have arthritis but it will be painless.

Symptoms of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can range from mild to severe. They will depend upon the joint involved, stress to the joints from activity or weight.

References:

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Arthritis-Related Statistics

http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm

(2) National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions: Osteoarthritis

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG059FullGuideline.pdf

(3) MayoClinic.com: Rheumatoid Arthritis

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020/DSECTION=symptoms

(4) American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Arthritis of the Hands

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00224