Arthritis Description
What happens to our joints?

Arthritis Description

Arthritis is not just one condition, it is a category under which well over 100 actual conditions are listed. Some of the most commonly known and prevalent conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Arthritis occurs when a part of the joint becomes inflamed and/or swollen, causing pain stiffness and difficulty in movement.

What happens to our joints?

A joint is the ‘junction’ where 2 or more bones meet. It is the point where they join together to form bendable parts of the skeleton. Examples are the hip, knee and elbow, knuckles and toes.These bone ‘junctions’ are covered by cartilage - a smooth, spongy material that protects the bones and allows flexible, pain-free movement.

The cartilage is covered by synovial fluid – produced by the synovium, a further outer covering that protects the joint. The synovial fluid transports nourishment to the joint and acts like oil in a car’s engine – easing friction and aiding movement.Symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type, but they all cause some degree of inflammation and pain to one or more of the joints and their surrounding area. The condition can be acute or chronic, but more usually becomes chronic when untreated or treated insufficiently.Some types of arthritis, e.g. infectious arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, not only affect the joints but also produce other symptoms such as skin rashes, aches, chills andfever, as well as having effects on major internal organs, such as on the heart by complicating already present heart conditions.

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