Arthritis and Other Joint
Conditions
Arthritis Types
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
OsteoArthritis
Infectious (Septic) Arthritis
Other Joint Conditions
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Gout
Pseudogout
Torn/Strained Ligaments
Torn Cartilage
Tendinitis
Bursitis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Description:
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Inflames Synovial Membranes in joint
Abnormal Immune System Activity
Synovial Tissue Thickens
Causes ongoing inflammation and cartilage
breakdown
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, swelling in
joints of hands, wrists, elbows, feet,
ankles, knees, and neck
Diagnosis: joint examination, medical
history, several tests
Risk Factors: Age, Gender (female),
genetic susceptibility, smoking
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Treatment:
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Physical Therapy: exercise, heat/cold, massage
Occupational Therapy
Biofeedback (to control pain)
Counselling
Accupuncture
Supplements
Blood Filtering (severe cases)
OsteoArthritis
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Description: Cartilage breakdown in
joints; eventually can cause bone
damage
Symptoms: pain in joints, limited Range
of Motion, tenderness/swelling,
creaking joints, deformity
OsteoArthritis
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Diagnosis: Physical Exam, X-Rays, Blood
Tests
Risk Factors: Age, Gender (female),
previous joint injuries, obesity, weak
thigh muscles (for knee), contracting
gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or
hemochromatosis
OsteoArthritis
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Treatment:
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Medications: NSAIDS, Acetomeniphen,
corticosteroids, hyaluron injections
Surgery: arthroscopy, osteomoty, joint
replacement, hip replacement, arthrodesis
(fusing)
Infectious/Septic Arthritis
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Description: joint inflammation as a
result of an infection by bacteria, virus,
parasites, or fungi; can damage tissue
Symptoms: joint pain, redness,
swelling, decreased ROM, weight loss,
fatigue, fever/chills
Infectious/Septic Arthritis
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Diagnosis: blood tests, bone scans, XRays, MRI, CT scans, Bone Biopsy
Risk Factors: weakened immune
system, metal inplants (joints, screws),
diabetes, removed spleen, gonorrhea,
rheumatoid arthritis, immunodepressant drugs
Infectious/Septic Arthritis
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Treatment:
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Treat infection: antibiotics, antiviral drugs
Drain fluid around joint
Surgery
Gout
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Description: High concentration of urate
crystals in blood
Symptoms: inflammation/tenderness,
pain, redness (usually in the foot)
Diagnosis: Urine Tests, Blood Tests
Gout
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Risk Factors:Excessive alcohol
consumption, High BP, Diabetes, High
cholesterol, Genetics, Age, Gender
(male)
Treatment:
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Medication: NSAIDS, corticosteroids, uric
acid lowering medications
Adjust diet and alcohol consumption
Pseudogout
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Description: Calcium Pyrophosphate
Dihydrate crystals in blood
Symptoms: inflammation, tenderness,
redness, joint pain
Diagnosis: X-Rays, Joint fluid analysis
Pseudogout
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Risk Factors: Age, Joint trama, Genetic
disorder, Excess iron in blood
Treatment:
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Medications: NSAIDS, Colchicine
Joint Aspiration
Rest
Torn/Strained Ligaments
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Description: Stretched/Torn Ligaments
(ligaments hold bones together in a
joint)
Symptoms: Pain, Swelling. Limited
mobility, Joint instability
Diagnosis: Physical Exam, X-Rays, MRI
Torn/Strained Ligaments
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Risk Factors: Previous injury, “loose”
ligaments
Treatment:
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RICE
Rehabilitation
Medication: NSAIDS
Surgery
Torn Cartilage
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Description: torn cartilage (cartilage is
the soft tissue between bone ends in a
joint)
Symptoms: instant pain, swelling,
“locked” joint
Diagnosis: Physical Exam, MRI
Torn Cartilage
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Risk Factors: none known
Treatment:
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Rehabilitation
Arthroscopic Surgery
Invasive Surgery
Tendinitis
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Description: inflammation of or
microtears in tendon (tendon connects
muscle to bone)
Symptoms: gradually increasing pain,
sore to touch, swelling, stiffness
Diagnosis: Physical Exam, Medical/
Activity History, MRI, X-Rays
Tendinitis
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Risk Factors: repetitive tasks
Treatment:
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Ice/Heat
“Cho-Pat” Straps
NSAIDS
Surgery
Bursitis
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Description: Swelling of the bursa (fluid
pouch around joint)
Symptoms: Swell/Pain when pressure
applied, pain, stiffness
Diagnosis: Physical Exam, Medical
History, Draw Bursa Fluid for testing
Bursitis
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Risk Factors: Repetitive tasks; people
who work on their knees (carpet layers,
roofers, gardeners)
Treatment:
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Medications: NSAIDS, Corticosteroids
Ice
Drain extra fluids
Surgery