Generally speaking, arthritis is defined as a gradual deterioration or breakdown of joint spaces that are located within one’s musculoskeletal system. The official statistical data indicates that approximatively eight out of ten Americans, who have reached the age of 55, are suffering from a form of arthritis. In some cases the arthritis can be so incredibly painful or detrimental that even some of the simpler tasks, which include holding a pencil or opening a bottle, may become very difficult. The condition can affect a person in many ways. In certain cases wrists, fingers, joints in the spine, knees and shoulders may lose normal shape and fluid.
Many factors may cause arthritis. One of the most common causes is age. Weakened or suppressed immune system may also be the cause. In other situations people have no choice at all – it is simply a heritage. In the vast majority of cases, one’s body will respond to the appearance of the arthritis through making an extra bone. Human body creates this material in an effort to shore up the degenerating joint. The additional bone that appears in the process is known as osteophyte or a bone spur. Bone spurs are generally found in disc spaces or in the joint, where the cartilage starts to deteriorate or break down. In some cases bone spurs block spaces, in which nerve roots leave the spinal canal.
The symptoms of arthritis may include the following:
- Stabbing pain in extremities
- Pain
- Numbness
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of muscle control
- Burning
- Cramping
- Inflammation
- Joint pain
Arthritis can take major forms that are known as the rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The degenerative form of the condition that mostly affects senior citizens is known as the osteoarthritis. In certain cases osteoarthritis could affect one’s spine facet joints, which makes it extremely painful to twist or bend. This condition causes the cartilage to break down from joints. Once they are stripped of the natural protective material, joints will start to rub against each other, which causes pain as well as impeding movement. The action will irritate the surrounding nerves even further. The more advanced forms of the spinal osteoarthritis may also lead to other problems, which include the disc collapse. Rheumatoid arthritis is an equally destructive and painful form of arthritis.
This form of arthritis may cause inflammation of the joint tissues, which then leads to weakness, pain, loss of appetite as well as anemia (low red blood cell count). Some forms of physical therapy could be helpful for people, who are suffering from the arthritis. Special physical therapy could be used to restore mobility, reduce pain, boost strength, function, flexibility and prevent any unnecessary disability.
In most cases, physical exercises may include the chair rise (it will strengthen the legs and will make standing as well as sitting safer) and walking (it is targeting the shoulder joints).
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