Clarifying Arthritis
By Desirea D. Caucci, PT, DPT
We all have met or at least heard about “Arthur”, a.k.a. “Arthritis” at some point. We hear about him almost
daily. We see the commercial advertisements for “arthritis sufferers;” we purchase over-the-counter
medications to relieve “arthritis pain;” we hear people saying “my arthritis is worse in bad weather,” and I could
go on and on. Do you know what arthritis really is? You may have a pretty good idea, but from the
conversations I have regularly with my patients, I know there are many, even those with Arthritis, who need
some help clarifying the definition.
Arthritis, in general, disables more people than any other disorder. There are two main types of Arthritis:
Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Most people who have been diagnosed with Arthritis have
OA; this is the single most common joint disease. This form of arthritis typically affects only a limited number of
joints, most commonly the hip, knee and/or spine. It is usually caused by some type of traumatic injury or by
“wear and tear.” It is more common with advancing age and it is estimated that about 85% of people over 60
have some degree of arthritis. Typically, pain is felt as a deep ache and it gradually progresses as the joint
slowly degenerates due to it’s inability to handle mechanical stresses (from excess weight, for example).
Stiffness also is a main complaint of those with OA, especially after prolonged inactivity (sitting, sleeping, etc.).
You may also hear “creaking or grinding” when the affected joint is moving.
Rheumatoid Arthritis differs greatly from Osteoarthritis. RA is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects only
1-2% of the adult population. The effects of RA generally begin in your 30s and 40s and continue to progress
with advancing age. Although rare, children can also have RA (termed juvenile RA). A blood test that is positive
for “rheumatoid factor” confirms about 80% of those with RA. RA tends to be present in multiple joints,
especially the wrists, hands, fingers, feet and knees) on both sides of the body. Symptoms include warm, stiff
and swollen joints, intense pain, especially after inactivity, and joint deformity in more advanced stages.
There is a lot that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms brought on by both OA and RA. Nothing can take
away the damage that has already been done to the joint (except a total joint replacement), however, there are
several ways to intervene and to halt the progression of joint degeneration. Treatments are varied, but may
include any combination of physical therapy, medication, heat/ice, rest, assistive devices, orthotics/shoe inserts
and surgery.
It may seem confusing that both exercise and rest are listed. It is the careful balance of the two that makes
each successful. If you rest your body too much, the inactivity will cause more damage over time and,
conversely, if you exercise too much you will also be causing more damage by wearing out the joint faster.
Therefor, it is most beneficial to have a professional instruct you in a safe, but effective treatment program.
People with arthritis commonly feel defeated after having been told there is nothing you can do to change your
arthritis. It is one of my main purposes in writing these articles to educate you about the ways you can help
yourselves. Whether you are young or old, it is not too early or too late to do something about the problems
arthritis is causing.
By Desirea D. Caucci, PT, DPT
We all have met or at least heard about “Arthur”, a.k.a. “Arthritis” at some point. We hear about him almost
daily. We see the commercial advertisements for “arthritis sufferers;” we purchase over-the-counter
medications to relieve “arthritis pain;” we hear people saying “my arthritis is worse in bad weather,” and I could
go on and on. Do you know what arthritis really is? You may have a pretty good idea, but from the
conversations I have regularly with my patients, I know there are many, even those with Arthritis, who need
some help clarifying the definition.
Arthritis, in general, disables more people than any other disorder. There are two main types of Arthritis:
Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Most people who have been diagnosed with Arthritis have
OA; this is the single most common joint disease. This form of arthritis typically affects only a limited number of
joints, most commonly the hip, knee and/or spine. It is usually caused by some type of traumatic injury or by
“wear and tear.” It is more common with advancing age and it is estimated that about 85% of people over 60
have some degree of arthritis. Typically, pain is felt as a deep ache and it gradually progresses as the joint
slowly degenerates due to it’s inability to handle mechanical stresses (from excess weight, for example).
Stiffness also is a main complaint of those with OA, especially after prolonged inactivity (sitting, sleeping, etc.).
You may also hear “creaking or grinding” when the affected joint is moving.
Rheumatoid Arthritis differs greatly from Osteoarthritis. RA is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects only
1-2% of the adult population. The effects of RA generally begin in your 30s and 40s and continue to progress
with advancing age. Although rare, children can also have RA (termed juvenile RA). A blood test that is positive
for “rheumatoid factor” confirms about 80% of those with RA. RA tends to be present in multiple joints,
especially the wrists, hands, fingers, feet and knees) on both sides of the body. Symptoms include warm, stiff
and swollen joints, intense pain, especially after inactivity, and joint deformity in more advanced stages.
There is a lot that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms brought on by both OA and RA. Nothing can take
away the damage that has already been done to the joint (except a total joint replacement), however, there are
several ways to intervene and to halt the progression of joint degeneration. Treatments are varied, but may
include any combination of physical therapy, medication, heat/ice, rest, assistive devices, orthotics/shoe inserts
and surgery.
It may seem confusing that both exercise and rest are listed. It is the careful balance of the two that makes
each successful. If you rest your body too much, the inactivity will cause more damage over time and,
conversely, if you exercise too much you will also be causing more damage by wearing out the joint faster.
Therefor, it is most beneficial to have a professional instruct you in a safe, but effective treatment program.
People with arthritis commonly feel defeated after having been told there is nothing you can do to change your
arthritis. It is one of my main purposes in writing these articles to educate you about the ways you can help
yourselves. Whether you are young or old, it is not too early or too late to do something about the problems
arthritis is causing.
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