Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints affecting males and females of all ages, the reaction occurring as a result of various diseases: viral or bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, fractures, etc.

We speak more specifically of arthritis when, after treatment, joint pain remains and is sometimes also accompanied by permanent deformity of the joint itself.

Common causes of arthritis can be gout, scleroderma, lupus, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, bacterial or viral infections, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.

Most cases of arthritis cannot be prevented

The only viable prevention is to limit the damage to the body.

Typical symptoms of arthritis are swelling and pain in the joint in question, reddening of the skin around the affected joint, limited movement of the joint, joint stiffness especially in the morning.

Diagnosis of arthritis

Physical examination of the patient generally highlights the presence of fluid around the joint (effusion); the joint may be swollen and warm, especially in cases of autoimmune disease or arthritis of infectious origin; and some difficulty in movement and rotation in certain directions may be noted.

In some autoimmune diseases, the joints, without proper treatment, may even become deformed, thus becoming the most tangible sign of severe arthritis.

Treatment of arthritis cases

Treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis one has, the severity of the condition, the joint affected, and the patient’s age, occupation, and activity.

However, the aim of treatment is to eliminate the primary cause of arthritis, although in some cases this is not possible because there is no cure (for example, this is the case in cases of scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.).

In these cases, then, treatment aims to limit joint damage and pain.

Therapy usually relies on the administration of medication, combined with physical activity.

Medications tend to reduce joint swelling, pain, and inflammation; these are generally aspirin and other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs.

NSAIDs are over-the-counter (anti-inflammatory) drugs and are often used to combat joint pain.

Although they are often prescribed, they have some undesirable effects, most notably causing stomach ulcers, bleeding of the digestive system, and kidney damage.

For this reason, NSAIDs should always be taken in consultation with your doctor and avoided in cases where there is already a medical history of kidney or gastrointestinal problems.

Corticosteroids (or steroids) target immunosuppression and are administered orally, in injections, or directly into the affected joint.

Usually, they are prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma), but not for arthritis of infectious origin.

In some cases, surgery, with reconstruction or complete replacement of the affected joint, proves to be the most appropriate treatment.

Surgery is the therapeutic choice implemented when other treatments have failed.

To avoid, or postpone as much as possible, surgery, there is now another type of treatment, which is to inject synthetic synovial fluid directly into the joint to replace the natural synovial fluid that is lacking in arthritis.

Arthritis, the prognosis

Arthritis is usually a chronic, that is, lifelong condition; only some forms can be cured permanently.

Treatment, therefore, tends only to limit the progressive damage of the disease and reduce pain, but can do nothing about the damage that has already occurred.

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