Joint Pain Diseases
Improper function or discomfort in the joints of the bones is known as joint disease. The joints can be defined as the meeting point of two bones, they are the junction between the bones. In the human body, the ball and socket joint, hinge joint, pelvic joint are some of the important joints that help in the proper functioning of the body.
These do not only constitute the bone, typically a joint has cartilage, tissue, synovial fluid, and nerve plexuses associated with it. One of the significant characteristics of joint diseases is their association with pain. The pain is due to inflammation of the surrounding tissue and sometimes, the bone.
Joint diseases are broadly classified into two groups based on inflammation, they are inflammatory joint diseases and non-inflammatory joint diseases. The joint disease list can range from chronic inflammatory disease to acute inflammatory disease. It is important to note that joint disease can affect a single joint or can have an impact on the majority of the skeleton system based on the severeness and type of the disease.
Anatomy of Joint
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To understand the disease and treatment of joint disease it is important to have a basic understanding of the joints. It constitutes of the following-
Cartilage- It is the tissue covering the surface of the bone joint. The primary function of cartilage is to reduce the friction of movement within a joint.
Synovial membrane[ it is a tissue that surrounds the joints, it forms a membrane-like structure around the joint and then seals it into a joint capsule. The membrane secrets a fluid called synovial fluid, whose primary role is to provide lubrication to the joints.
Ligaments- it is the tough, elastic bands of connective tissue that surround the joint. It provides support and limits the joint's movement. The primary function of the ligaments is to connect bones.
Tendons- Tendons are also a type of tough connective tissue that connects muscles to bones.
Bursas- These are the fluid-filled sacs between bones, ligaments, or other nearby structures. They help in reducing friction.
Meniscus- It is a curved part of cartilage found in the knees and other joints.
Types of Joint Diseases
Joint disease lists mainly categorize the diseases into groups of inflammatory and noninflammatory types. Inflammatory joint diseases are the most common and prominent among the elderly age groups.
Arthritis is the generic term used for joint disease of inflammatory nature. Moreover, it can be further classified into categories, osteoarthritis, and autoimmune joint disease. The list of joint pain disease name are as follows,
Osteoarthritis
It is a common type of inflammatory knee disease. It is categorized under degenerative disease. This usually affects the cartilage of the joint, over a period of time the cartilage of the joint undergoes breakdown. This progressive breakdown causes the increase in stiffness of the joint, it also leads to the increased friction in the movement. This a progressive, chronic disorder, it usually affects the population above 50 years of age, it has been shown in recent studies the females are more vulnerable to the disease.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when an immune cell of the body tends to attack its cell, in this case particularly the connective tissues of the joint. This leads to increased inflammation, pain, and degeneration of the connective joint tissue. The synovial membrane is also subjected to persistent inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is age-independent, that it can be found in any age group. It is also associated with there premature mortality of the individual. It is also associated with some cardiovascular disorders such as ischemic heart disease and stroke.
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Spondyloarthritis
It is commonly known as spondylitis, it usually covers a wide variety of diseases. It acts as an umbrella term. It is an autoimmune disorder. There are various types of spondyloarthritis which include, Ankylosing, axial, peripheral spondylitis and, non-radiographic spondylitis. These affect the different parts of the skeleton, the most commonly affected organ is the ankle joint and the spine in the human body. Apart from inflammation and pain, there are some inflammation-related symptoms which include the following, redness and itchiness of the eyes, light sensitivity, blurry visions, gastrointestinal symptoms and, pain in the tendons of the toe and fingers. The common test used for diagnosis is HLA- B27 blood test. It is important to note that it is more commonly found in males and is developed during teenage or in the 20s. Relative diagnosis of it in females is very difficult, thus it is a possibility that there are more female patients than the data suggests.
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Lupus
Lupus is also an autoimmune disorder. It is very complex in nature thus is commonly known as the disease of thousand faces. It is a disease of connective tissue. There are the following types of lupus as Systemic lupus erythematosus, Discoid lupus erythematosus and Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. SLE is the most common type of lupus, it is a systemic disease which undergoes various cycles. It causes inflammation in the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, blood, heart. Another type of lupus that is very rare is neonatal lupus. It is the condition where the baby has an autoimmune disorder. In this case, the mother might or might not be suffering from SLE. It is a rare condition found in about 1% of the total population.
Bursitis
It is a condition where the bursae are inflamed. It is a fluid-filled sac between the bones or ligaments, they primarily work to reduce the friction due to movement. The most common site of this disease is the subdeltoid bursa, which lies above the shoulder joint. It can also be caused by the overuse of the joint, another common reason is rheumatoid arthritis, persistent RA or gout may also lead to it. It is relatively less severe and is more common in the population.
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Gout
This is the most common type of joint disease found in the body. It is the result of excessive deposition of uric acid in the joints. The uric acid forms crystals in the joint thus increasing the friction. It is a common waste product of the body. Gout is associated with pain and inflammation, it is considerably higher in males. Females are prone to gout after their menopause.
Infectious Arthritis
Apart from the wearing and tearing of the joints, microbial infections are also a major cause of joint disease. A pathogen may follow one of the three routes of entry which includes, entry via direct contamination, bloodstream, or through osteomyelitis. It refers to the entry of a pathogen to the joint via some prior infection of bone or infection at a distant joint from where the pathogen is carried via blood. This joint pain disease name is also known as septic arthritis. Streptococcus and Gonococcus are the two main pathogens responsible for causing it. Knee, shoulder, wrist, hip, and elbow ar4e the most common sites of infection. It, similar to other joint diseases, is also associated with inflammation, pain, fatigue, and sometimes skin rashes.
FAQs on Joint Diseases
1. What are the main types of joint disorders discussed in the CBSE Biology syllabus?
As per the NCERT curriculum, the primary disorders of the skeletal system that affect joints include:
- Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints. This is a broad category that includes conditions like Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Gout: A specific type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in a joint, leading to intense inflammation.
- Osteoporosis: While a bone disease characterised by decreased bone mass, it significantly increases the risk of fractures in and around joints, leading to secondary joint problems.
2. What is the fundamental difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The key difference lies in their cause and nature. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, often called 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, where the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. In contrast, Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, specifically the synovium (the lining of the joints), causing painful swelling and eventual erosion of bone and cartilage.
3. Explain what is meant by a degenerative joint disease, using Osteoarthritis as an example.
A degenerative joint disease is a condition where the structure of a joint progressively deteriorates over time. It is not primarily caused by inflammation but by mechanical stress and aging. Osteoarthritis is the most common example. In this condition, the articular cartilage, which acts as a cushion between bones, gradually breaks down. This leads to pain, stiffness, and bone-on-bone friction within the joint, causing the formation of bone spurs and limiting movement.
4. What causes Gout, and how does it specifically affect the joints?
Gout is caused by a condition called hyperuricemia, where there is an excess of uric acid in the blood. When the body cannot process and excrete all the uric acid, it can form sharp, needle-like urate crystals that accumulate in a joint or surrounding tissue. These crystals trigger a severe inflammatory response, resulting in sudden and intense episodes of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness, most commonly affecting the joint at the base of the big toe.
5. How does Osteoporosis, primarily a bone disorder, lead to joint-related problems?
Osteoporosis weakens bones by reducing their density and mass, making them porous and brittle. While it doesn't directly attack the joint cartilage like arthritis does, its impact on joints is significant. The weakened bones are highly susceptible to fractures, especially in areas like the hip, spine, and wrist. A fracture that occurs in or near a joint can disrupt its alignment and surface, leading to post-traumatic arthritis, chronic pain, and loss of joint function.
6. Why is Rheumatoid Arthritis classified as an autoimmune disease?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease because it involves the body's own immune system malfunctioning and attacking healthy cells. In a healthy person, the immune system targets foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. In someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system mistakenly identifies the synovial membrane—the soft lining around the joints—as a threat. It launches an inflammatory attack on this membrane, causing it to thicken and leading to the pain, swelling, and eventual joint destruction characteristic of the disease.
7. What are some of the common symptoms that indicate a potential joint disorder?
The symptoms of joint disorders can vary but often include one or more of the following signs:
- Joint pain: This can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent.
- Stiffness: Particularly noticeable after periods of inactivity, such as waking up in the morning.
- Swelling: The area around the joint may appear puffy or enlarged due to fluid accumulation.
- Redness and Warmth: The skin over the affected joint may become red and feel warm to the touch, indicating inflammation.
- Decreased range of motion: Difficulty moving the joint through its full, normal range.
8. Can infections lead to joint diseases?
Yes, an infection in a joint can cause a condition known as septic arthritis or infectious arthritis. This occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi from another part of the body travel through the bloodstream and invade a joint. It can also be caused by a penetrating injury that introduces germs directly into the joint. Septic arthritis is a serious condition that causes severe inflammation, pain, and swelling, and it requires immediate medical treatment to prevent rapid and permanent joint damage.
