What is Arthritis?
Arthritis means joint inflammation and there are over 200 different types
of arthritis that can affect both young and old people. Arthritis can affect different parts of the body and each type has
a different cause. It is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints and in some cases can also affect the soft tissues
of the body such as ligaments, lungs and heart valves.
The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis
(OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
(AS), gout and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Arthritis is the leading cause
of disability in people older than fifty-five years.
The Different types of Arthritis
- The most common form
of arthritis, osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a result of repetitive trauma of the joint
and is more common as we get older. There is evidence to suggest that abnormal anatomy, deformity of a joint, such as in hip
dysplasia, might contribute to the early development of osteoarthritis. Poor nutrition, poor nerve- and blood supply and immobilisation
are also contributory factors.
- Other forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis,
psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are autoimmune diseases in which the body
attacks itself. These types of arthritis are more common to see in younger people.
- Septic
arthritis is caused by joint infection and can either be viral or bacterial.
- Gout
on the other hand is a metabolic condition, which is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation.
There is also a more uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate (CPPD). This type
of gout is also known as pseudogout.
How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Like
with all medical conditions it is important to have a proper diagnostic work-up including a thorough case history and examination, and, if indicated, x-rays or MRI scans, urine and blood tests.
Once diagnosed, the type of arthritis you have can be treated more effectively.
If there are signs that you are suffering
from arthritis and need further tests to diagnose your condition we will refer you to your GP who will do more tests or possibly
refer you to a rheumatologist for further tests. The medical specialists in this field are called rheumatologists and they
are the people to contact for the medical side of your treatment.
How can Chiropractic help?
Most
arthritic conditions benefit greatly from Chiropractic treatment and should be considered as an adjunct to medical care, particularly
osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is often treated with anti-inflammatory
medication and nothing else. This is a mistake. Using anti-inflammatory medication in the long term has been
shown to impair the healing rate of cartilage and can also cause damage to the lining of the stomach and result in fatal stomach
bleeds, particularly in the elderly. Fortunately there are better ways to manage osteoarthritis.
If you receive chiropractic
treatment, including laser treatment, regular, gentle exercise and improve your diet, you can reduce
your need to take anti-inflammatory medication, which is great news. In fact some of our patients have been able
to stop taking them all together. Read more about chiropractic treatment
With regard to the inflammatory
arthriditis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), there is not a real cure
for these conditions. Although, they have their natural peaks and troughs, the inflammatory process can be quite severe and
it is therefore important to take medication to control it to avoid joint destruction. Chiropractic treatment is still useful
as a therapy for these conditions to help you control the symptoms.
