Bursitis is a painful medical condition of the knee bursa.Source: Getty Images Facts you should know about knee bursitis A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between moving tissues of the body. There are three major bursae of the knee. Localized swelling, warmth, and tenderness, as well...
What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the joints and other body parts, such as the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. RA is an autoimmune disorder, a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of wear and...
What is a triple arthrodesis surgery? A triple arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that fuses three joints of the ankle and relieves pain from arthritis. A triple arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that fuses three joints of the ankle. It is used to relieve pain from arthritic, deformed, or unstable joints. Generally, surgeons try to...
Hydroxyapatite crystal disease facts Hydroxyapatite is an essential mineral of normal bone. Crystals of hydroxyapatite deposited in and about the joints cause inflammation. Inflammation and pain are part of hydroxyapatite crystal disease. This disease is distinct and different from gout and pseudogout. Treatment includes measures to reduce inflammation and pain. What is hydroxyapatite? Readers Comments...
What is osteoarthritis? What is osteoporosis? Share Your Story Picture of a doctor showing an X-ray to a woman. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, and affects over 23 million Americans. The definition of osteoarthritis is degeneration of joint cartilage tissue and the underlying bone. The definition of osteoporosis is a...
What is an osteochondral grafting of articular cartilage injuries? Osteochondral grafting treats conditions in which there is cartilage damage and the underlying bone is exposed like arthritis. Articular cartilage covers the bony ends of the joints throughout the body. Cartilage being smooth allows easy gliding of the joint. Cartilage may be damaged due to injury...
A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material.Source: iStock Total knee replacement facts Patients with severe destruction of the knee joint associated with progressive pain and impaired function may be candidates for total knee replacement. Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for knee replacement operation...
Osteochondritis dissecans facts Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint condition whereby a variable amount of bone and its adjacent cartilage loses its blood supply. Osteochondritis dissecans causes irregularity and fragility of affected cartilage. As a result, it is possible for portions of cartilage to become lodged within the joint, leading to limitation in motion. The cause...
Hypermobility syndrome facts Joints easily move beyond the normal range with joint hypermobility syndrome. The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for that particular joint. Hypermobile joints tend to be inherited. Symptoms of the joint hypermobility syndrome include pain in the knees, fingers, hips,...
What is osteoarthritis (OA)? Share Your Story Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both chronic joint disorders that cause joint pain. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disorder featuring degeneration and inflammation of cartilage of one or many joints. What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune joint disorder characterized by inflammation...