Arthritis: What is it and what are common types

 By Dr PAUL ALEXANDER 

ARTH means joint – ITIS means inflamation. 

Arthritis means inflammation of joint. 

Arthritis affects millions of people all over the world and many in Papua New Guinea. 

Until a few years ago, patients having severe arthritis used to suffer from agonising pain for lifetime. They had to limit their activities, were disabled and often become house-bound. 

Today patients having advanced arthritis can be given a new life and live near normal life after surgery. 

Joint replacement operations are among most successful of all operations with predictable results if they are performed in well-equipped centre by surgeons with high technical skill and training. 

Types of arthritis: 

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis 

What is osteoarthritis – degenerative joint disease? 

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as “old age” arthritis or “wear and tear” arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis is a disease which affects cartilage, a soft bone that covers the ends of bones in a joint. 

In osteoarthritis, the surface layers of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This makes bones to rub against bone, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. A joint loses its normal shape, can develop growths called osteophytes and breaking of osteophytes further complicates the disease. 

What is rheumatoid arthritis? 

Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic inflammatory illness that attacks the lining of the joints.