Arthritis is a rheumatic disorder that causes chronic, intermittent pain which affects the joints and connective tissues. Where bones connect within the body, it expresses itself with swelling, redness, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Though there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is caused by repeated wear and tear damage to the joint cartilage. It usually occurs with age, in the hips, knees, and fingers. Over time, osteoarthritis can culminate in bone grinding directly on bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the body’s immune system attacks the synovial membrane that encloses the joints. It tends to crop up in middle age in the feet and hands. Eventually, this autoimmune disorder can progress to the point where cartilage and bone are destroyed within the joint.
Arthritis, as a whole, affects more than 54 million people in the US alone and is the leading…
Though there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is caused by repeated wear and tear damage to the joint cartilage. It usually occurs with age, in the hips, knees, and fingers. Over time, osteoarthritis can culminate in bone grinding directly on bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the body’s immune system attacks the synovial membrane that encloses the joints. It tends to crop up in middle age in the feet and hands. Eventually, this autoimmune disorder can progress to the point where cartilage and bone are destroyed within the joint.
Arthritis, as a whole, affects more than 54 million people in the US alone and is the leading…