Arthritis and Joints

Arthritis Statistics

• An estimated 1 in 7 people (approx. 900 million worldwide) suffer from arthritis
• Over 100 different types of arthritis exist
• Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis type, followed by Rheumatoid arthritis
• Arthritis is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of work disability
• More than 1/3 of people diagnosed with arthritis report activity limitations

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic type of inflammatory joint disease that includes:

• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Housemaid's knee
• Lumbago
• Tennis elbow

The cause is not fully understood, but it is linked to autoimmune responses in the joints. This means the body’s defence systems fail to recognise their own components, and begin to attack themselves via white blood cells called lymphocytes. A genetic factor may be involved in whether an individual develops this response.

When the autoimmune response happens, the synovial membrane that lines the joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, swelling and loss of mobility. In addition to the lymphocytes, the joint tissue also produces catabolic cytokines – compounds that can cause the joint cartilage, and eventually the bone tissue, to degrade and break down.

Osteo Arthrosis

Osteoarthritis, sometimes also known as Osteo arthrosis, is also known as “degenerative joint disease”. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in Western society.

Osteoarthritis can result from natural wear and tear in the joints, or from poor circulation – either on a microcirculation level in the capillaries, or larger scale in the veins and arteries. Its main symptoms are quite similar to those of Rheumatoid arthritis, i.e. pain, inflammation and restricted movement.

Some of the causes of these symptoms are also the same. For example, catabolic cytokines are also produced, which can lead to metalloprotease enzymes breaking down cartilage and bone tissue.

Normal and arthritic joints:

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