Question

Arthritis is joint inflammation and there are several types. Pick two (2) and explain what cause them. How does the process affect different parts of the synovial joint and the normal functions of the joint? (Chap. 8)

Answer 1

Answer:

Arthritis:

• It usually refers to a condition commonly known as the joint inflammation. This is seen very common these days and its typically associated with causing pain to the joints as well as the stiffness caused around the affected joints in the body.
• Some of the very common arthritis symptoms include stiffness,pain,swelling and a reduced motion around the joints. These symptoms experienced by the people suffering from this condition may be mild,moderate or severe.
• Over time the chances of the condition to worsen increases though for some years they might stay same.
• The two common types of arthritis are:

1. Osteoarthritis
2. Rheumatoid arthritis

• A normal joint is a location or the region where the bones meet. Muscles around the joints helps in their movement by contracting and relaxing. These muscles and bones are attached to one another with the help of a fibrous cord known as a tendon.
• A smooth and slippery layer covers most of the bones called the cartilage. They forms a cushion that helps in absorbing the shock and also helps the bones not to rub each other.
• Other than the cartilage, the joints are again covered by an another layer of membrane called the synovium or the synovial membrane. They produces a fluid called synovial fluid which helps in lubrication of the joints.

Osteoarthritis:

• This is one of the most common chronic conditions that is observed in the joints.
• Also known as the degenerative disease or the "wear and tear" arthritis.
• Mainly affects when the cartilage breaks which is in between the joints which results in severe pain, stiffness and swelling.
• This conditions affects the entire joints(bones,cartilage,synovial membrane,synovial fluid,ligaments etc). It involves the breakdown of the protective cushion layer of cartilage.
• This causes the cartilage to be more rough and flaky. There is also breakdown of small pieces and forms loose bodies in the synovial fluid. This results in the inflammation of the synovial membrane and also causes irritation and inflammation. These roughened cartilage becomes more thinned and the bones underneath starts to thicken and swells up.
• This results in the loss of smooth function of the joints and the lose of bone shape and bony spurs are formed at ends of the bones.
• This can cause the deterioration as well as the weakening of the ligaments,muscles and tendons around the joints. Knees,hands,lower back,hips etc are the common joints that are affected by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Rheumatoid arthritis is more of a long term, progressive as well as a disabling autoimmune disease which results in the formation of inflammation,swelling also pain around the joints.
• Usually the hands and the feet are the first to get affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the usual symptoms associated with Rheumatoid arthritis are stiff joints and feeling of being fatigue and a feeling of being not well.
• It results in the inflammation of the joints particularly the synovial membrane.
• The disease causes the overproduction of synovial fluid and results in the swelling of the joints and capsule stretch which results in more pain.
• The inflammation formed due the disease damages the cartilage and results in deformities in the joints ans well the destruction of them. The tendons also might get inflamed and may be worn out. These diseases are symmetrical,ie, it affects both sides of the body at the very same time.
• Some of the joints that are affected by Rheumatoid arthritis are ankles,fingers,toes,wrists,hands etc.