How is arthritis a cause of joint pain?

Arthritis is a common condition that is seen in many people across the world. It is caused due to inflammation of joints. We can categorize the condition of arthritis in two main categories: Degenerative arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis falls under the category of degenerative arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis falls under rheumatoid arthritis. Mostly, the symptoms of arthritis are experienced in the form of stiffness, pain, and swelling in the joint. People suffering from arthritis must opt for arthritis treatment as soon as possible. An ortho doctor is the best person to treat you if you suffer from such a condition.

Structure of a joint 

Every joint has an outer joint capsule comprising of fibrous connective tissue that connects the bones. The synovium also performs the function of providing  strength and stability to the joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The internal surface of the capsule is covered with a membrane called Synovium.  Synovium secretes a fluid known as synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant for the joint. It helps in the smooth movement when the bones slide over each other . The synovial lining is affected in Rheumatoid arthritis, which leads to severe joint pain and a problem in the smooth functioning of the joint. This condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system starts destroying the body’s tissues. The condition usually occurs in hands and feet. The condition is characterized by symptoms like

• Inflammation of the synovial tissue accompanied by swelling
• Experience of pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joint due to which motion becomes very painful.

When the disease progresses, there is a destruction of bone and cartilage, which causes an alteration in the alignment of the joints. This leads to further pain and difficulty in motion. The patient may also experience fatigue and muscle aches.

Osteoarthritis

We all know that cartilage is a connective tissue which provides lubrication and flexibility to the joints. The cartilage is a sponge-like structure and provides shock-absorbing character to the joints when the person indulges in weight-bearing activities.

Osteoarthritis is caused when there is degeneration of this cartilage. Disintegration of the cartilage results in loss of cushioning of the joints, which causes pain and friction when the bones slide over each other. As the cartilage has disintegrated, it is unable to take the stress of movement. This happens as the surrounding structures of the joint like bones, ligaments, tendons and joint capsule become highly strained.