Joint Care (Rheumatology)

• Arthritis

Joint Care (Rheumatology)

Rheumatology is the field of medicine that centers around the diagnosis and treatment of joint, muscle and bone problems. The musculoskeletal system is the combination of the muscle and skeletal system that enables humans to move physically. Rheumatologists are experts in diseases or disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system, which is dependent upon the bones, tendons and ligaments.

Rheumatologists commonly treat arthritis, autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain conditions and osteoporosis. There are over 100 types of these diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, back pain, fibromyalgia and tendonitis.

Most rheumatic diseases can be controlled or treated with analgesics, NSAIDs (Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), steroids, DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), monospecific antibodies, and Methotrexate for arthritis.

Physiotherapy remains a vigorous treatment of many rheumatologic disorders. Occupational therapy can aid in patients discovering alternative methods for common movements which would are ultimately constrained by their disease.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often warrant a long term, matched multidisciplinary team as treatment is often tailored specifically to the needs of the individual patient who is also dependent on the reaction and the tolerability of medications.

Vasculitis denotes a group of disorders that are categorized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels in which arteries and veins are majorly affected. Lymphangitis is reflected as a type of vasculitis. Vasculitis is principally derivative of leukocyte migration and consequential damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a prolonged inflammatory disorder that affects many tissues and organs, principally attacking the joints. The result progressively produces an inflammatory synovitis that eventually advances to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce long winded inflammation in the lungs and most commonly in the tissue under the skin. Although the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, autoimmunity pieces the chief role in its development.

About 1% of the world's population is afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis.

Lupus, also referred to as SLE, is a disease that distresses your immune system. Generally, your immune system combats infections triggered by germs. In its place of protecting your build, your immune system mistakes its own healthy cells and attacks them. Lupus affects all parts of your body, mostly comprising of your joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. It affects over one million people in the US and 9 out of those 10 individuals who have lupus are women.