| is Osteoarthritis? | | | | sensitivity; kidney problems; and forms of arthritis. |
| Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition in which tissue | | | | Bursitis and Tendinitis - Bursitis and tendinitis are |
| known as cartilage breaks down. When this tissue | | | | caused by irritation from injuring or overusing a joint. |
| deteriorates, it leaves the bones to rub against each | | | | Bursitis affects a small sac called the bursa that helps |
| other, causing pain and stiffness. If you have | | | | to cushion the muscles and tendons surrounding the |
| osteoarthritis, you’ve probably heard | | | | joint. Tendinitis affects the tendons that attach |
| something like this definition from your doctor. The | | | | muscle to bone. |
| disease may also be referred to as osteoarthritis, | | | | Other common forms of arthritis and related |
| degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. | | | | conditions include: |
| Normal Joint Osteoarthritis | | | | • Polymyalgia Rheumatica |
| In general terms, osteoarthritis is considered to be a | | | | • Psoriatic Arthritis |
| chronic condition. It is important to make the | | | | • Ankylosing Spondylitis |
| distinction between chronic and acute conditions. | | | | • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| Illnesses such as a cold or the flu are acute | | | | • Gout |
| conditions, because they have a clear beginning and | | | | • Vasculitis |
| end as well as a specific cause, such as a virus. | | | | • Scleroderma |
| These illnesses can be diagnosed with special tests, | | | | How is Osteoarthritis Different? |
| and many of the most common ones can be treated | | | | In osteoarthritis, the cartilage begins to break down, |
| with drugs or medical procedures. Chronic conditions | | | | usually gradually. As the cartilage wears away, the |
| like osteoarthritis, on the other hand, often last for | | | | bones become exposed and rub against each other, |
| several years or even a lifetime. All of the causes of | | | | which leads to pain. The deterioration of cartilage also |
| osteoarthritis aren’t yet known, so there | | | | affects the shape and makeup of the whole joint, so |
| may be no single, simple treatment. | | | | that it no longer functions smoothly. You may notice |
| In fact, treatment for osteoarthritis may require a | | | | a limp when you walk, or you may have trouble |
| variety of medications and other measures, and | | | | going up and down stairs. This deterioration puts |
| these may change over time. Because this disease is | | | | additional stress on the joint as it moves. |
| long-lasting and can affect your day-to-day life for | | | | Other problems can occur inside the joint as cartilage |
| years, it is crucial that you take an active role in | | | | breakdown affects the joint components. Fragments |
| managing it. You can make a difference in how you | | | | of bone or cartilage may float in the joint fluid, |
| feel by monitoring your symptoms, following your | | | | causing irritation and pain. Bony spurs or osteophytes |
| treatment plan, and dealing with the daily challenges | | | | can develop on the ends of the bones. Fluid inside |
| the condition brings. | | | | the joint may not have enough of a substance called |
| What Causes Osteoarthritis? | | | | hyaluronan, which may affect the joint’s |
| Like other chronic conditions, osteoarthritis has no | | | | ability to absorb shock. And although inflammation is |
| single, specific cause. Instead, there are several | | | | not a main symptom of osteoarthritis, it can occur in |
| factors involved in the disease, including heredity and | | | | the joint lining in response to the breakdown of |
| lifestyle. It may take a combination of these factors | | | | cartilage. |
| to eventually result in osteoarthritis. | | | | Treatment Plan and New Developments |
| Heredity - Scientists believe that in osteoarthritis, as | | | | For some people who suffer from pain associated |
| in many other diseases and conditions, heredity may | | | | with arthritis, their symptoms can be managed with |
| play a role in the disease. Researchers are studying | | | | exercise, heat/cold therapy, joint protection, assistive |
| several genes that may be connected to | | | | devices, weight control, or in some severe cases, |
| osteoarthritis. The outcomes of these studies may | | | | surgery. For others, medications are needed to help |
| help predict who is most likely to get the disease. | | | | manage the symptoms associated with arthritis. |
| Obesity - You probably already know that being | | | | COX-2 inhibitors |
| overweight puts you at risk for heart disease and | | | | COX-2 inhibitors are the newest members of the |
| certain types of cancer, but it can also have a | | | | NSAID class of medications. Available by prescription |
| profound effect on your joints. The reason is that | | | | only, they became widely used in recent years to |
| your major joints, such as knees and hips, already | | | | reduce joint pain and swelling. COX-2 inhibitors work |
| bear the brunt of your body’s weight as you | | | | by selectively blocking, or inhibiting, one of the two |
| move through normal daily activities. Being | | | | enzymes associated with inflammation. Some experts |
| overweight puts even more pressure on these joints. | | | | have hypothesized that this selective inhibition may |
| Injury and overuse of joints - Sometimes repetitious | | | | be the reason for the negative cardiovascular effects |
| movements or serious injuries to joints can lead to | | | | currently associated with COX-2 inhibitors. |
| osteoarthritis years later. Some full-time athletes, for | | | | Non-selective NSAIDs |
| example, may injure the same joints over and over | | | | Non-selective NSAIDs were developed earlier than |
| again, causing damage to the joints, tendons and | | | | COX-2 inhibitors and have been widely used to |
| ligaments that speeds up cartilage breakdown. | | | | relieve arthritis pain and inflammation for many years. |
| What are the Different Types of Arthritis? | | | | Unlike COX-2 inhibitors, non-selective NSAIDs inhibit |
| There are more than 100 different types of arthritis | | | | both major enzymes involved in the inflammatory |
| and related diseases. It is important to know which | | | | process, COX-1 and COX-2. The non-selective NSAID |
| type of arthritis you have so you can treat it | | | | category includes a number of different medications |
| properly. If you don’t know which type you | | | | that are available in both prescription and |
| have, call your doctor or ask during your next visit. | | | | over-the-counter (OTC) products. |
| Osteoarthritis - The most common type of arthritis is | | | | However, recent controversy about the safety of |
| osteoarthritis, or OA. OA affects about 21 million | | | | pain medications for arthritis has left patients and |
| Americans. OA is sometimes called degenerative | | | | health care professionals alike uncertain about which |
| arthritis because it is caused by the breakdown of | | | | medications are safe to use. In fact, a recent survey |
| cartilage and bones, causing pain and stiffness. OA | | | | by the Boston-based Rippe Lifestyle Institute |
| usually affects the fingers and weight-bearing joints, | | | | indicated that many people with arthritis are suffering |
| including the knees, hips, back and neck. It affects | | | | unnecessarily because they have stopped or reduced |
| both men and women and usually occurs after age | | | | their use of pain relievers due to confusion about |
| 45. | | | | which drugs are considered safe. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis - In rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, | | | | To clarify the confusion around recent news about |
| an abnormality in the body’s immune system | | | | arthritis medications, here are some facts: |
| causes inflammation of the joints. Inflammation begins | | | | On April 7, 2005, the FDA announced the following: |
| in the joint lining, or the synovium, and over time | | | | • Bextra, a COX-2 inhibitor manufactured by |
| leads to damage of both cartilage and bone. | | | | Pfizer, was being voluntarily withdrawn from the |
| Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the same joints on | | | | market. |
| both sides of the body. RA affects about 2.1 million | | | | • All prescription NSAIDs must revise their |
| Americans and is more common in women than in | | | | labeling to include a “black box” |
| men. | | | | warning that highlights the potential increased risk for |
| Fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes | | | | cardiovascular (CV) events as well as the potentially |
| widespread pain and distinct tender points, which are | | | | life threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding |
| places on the body that are highly sensitive to touch | | | | associated with these drugs. Celebrex, the only |
| and produce pain. People with fibromyalgia usually | | | | COX-2 inhibitor remaining on the US market, was |
| have fatigue, disturbed sleep and stiffness. | | | | included in this directive. |
| Fibromyalgia is a common condition that usually | | | | • All OTC NSAIDs (except aspirin) will be |
| affects women and it does not cause muscle or joint | | | | required to revise their labeling to include more |
| damage. | | | | specific information about the potential for GI and CV |
| Lupus - Lupus is a disease that affects the skin and | | | | side effects, a stronger reminder to follow label |
| joints. In some people, lupus also affects the internal | | | | instructions, as well as a warning about potential skin |
| organs such as the kidneys, lungs or heart. Lupus | | | | reactions. |
| affects women about eight to 10 times more often | | | | To further evaluate the potential for increased CV |
| than men. Symptoms often first appear in women | | | | risk, the FDA also announced that all NSAIDs must |
| between ages 18 and 45. Some of the more | | | | conduct and submit to the Agency a comprehensive |
| common symptoms include a rash over the cheeks | | | | review and analysis of pertinent safety data from |
| and across the bridge of the nose; scaly, disc-shaped | | | | clinical trials. |
| sores on the face, neck and/or chest; abnormal sun | | | | |