Arthritis
Definition
Arthritis is an acute or chronic inflammation of a joint, involving one or more of
the following:
- Synovial membrane
- Cartilage
- Joint capsule
- Adjacent bone structures
Etiology
- Non- Infectious Arthritis
- Hypertrophic (Osteoarthritis)
- Degeneration of cartilage in weight- bearing joints
- Occurs in elderly
- Cartilage becomes soft, thin, and frayed
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Chronic autoimmune systemic disease
- More common in women
- Affects connective tissues and synovial joints
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Associated with psoriasis
- May involve small joints, especially in fingers and toes
- Traumatic Arthritis
- Result of mechanical injury to the joint
- Infectious (Suppurative) Arthritis
- Common organisms:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Typical joints: knee, elbow, hip
Clinical Signs
- Pain
- Redness (erythema)
- Swelling
- Heat
- Loss of function
- Fluctuation (in suppurative arthritis)
Complications
- Phlegmon
- Joint dislocation
- Osteomyelitis
- Chronic joint infection
- Definitive joint damage
Diagnosis:
- Clinical signs + lab tests (↑ WBC, CRP, ESR)
- X-ray:
- Dilated intra- articular space
- Possible osteomyelitis or luxation
- Puncture (aspiration) of joint:
- Microscopy + culture of synovial fluid
- Evacuation of pus
- Antiseptic instillation
Treatment
- Immobilization of joint
- Antibiotics (based on culture)
- Physiotherapy (after acute phase)
- Joint puncture (repeated if needed every 3–4 days)
- Surgical drainage if puncture fails (incision, evacuation, antiseptics, drainage)