Arthritis — joint inflammation

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Autoimmune systemic disease. The immune system attacks the synovial membrane of joints. Symmetrical involvement of small joints of hands and feet (metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal). Morning stiffness over 1 hour. Without treatment — pannus destroys cartilage and bone (erosions). Prevalence: 0.5-1% of population, women 3 times more often.

→ Treatment of RA in hand joints

Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis with inflammation)

Primary cartilage degeneration with secondary inflammation (synovitis). The most common form of "arthritis." Large joints: knee, Hip Joint, spine. Pain on loading, morning stiffness less than 30 minutes, crepitus. On X-ray: joint space narrowing, osteophytes.

→ Knee Osteoarthritis (Gonarthrosis) | → Hip Osteoarthritis (Coxarthrosis)

Gouty arthritis

Deposition of uric acid crystals. Acute attack: red, hot, sharply painful joint (most often 1st toe). Between attacks — asymptomatic. Diagnosis: blood uric acid, polarized microscopy of aspirate.

→ Gout treatment

Psoriatic arthritis

In 30% of psoriasis patients. Asymmetrical involvement, dactylitis ("sausage digit"), distal interphalangeal joint involvement, enthesitis (tendon attachment inflammation), spondylitis. Nail changes.

Reactive arthritis

Aseptic joint inflammation after infection (genitourinary — chlamydia, gastrointestinal — salmonella, yersinia). Asymmetrical oligoarthritis of lower extremities. Reiter's triad: arthritis + urethritis + conjunctivitis. More common in men 20-40 years old.

Septic (infectious) arthritis

Direct bacterial invasion into the joint. Staphylococcus aureus — 60%. Emergency condition: without treatment — joint destruction in days. Aspiration + culture + antibiotics. MIBRAR® — after infection control for restoration of damaged cartilage.