Source: iStock Facts you should know about corticosteroid (cortisone) injection of joints and soft tissues Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications. Cortisone shots (steroid shot) can offer fast-acting relief of inflamed muscles, joints, tendons, and bursa. Complications are rare but may include infection and bleeding. When administered by an expert, cortisone injections offer significant pain relief...
Facts you should know about arthroscopy Readers Comments 68 Share Your Story Arthroscopy uses a small tube-like viewing device to view the internal structure of a joint. Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that can be performed for diagnosis and/or treatment of joint abnormalities. Arthroscopy is most often an outpatient procedure. Arthroscopy can be performed using...
Facts you should know about septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections may cause septic arthritis. Septic arthritis is infection of one or more joints by microorganisms. Septic arthritis can be caused by fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. Risks for the development of septic arthritis include a patient taking immune-suppression medicines, intravenous drug...
What is citrulline antibody? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Citrulline antibody is present in the blood of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is used in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis when evaluating patients with unexplained joint inflammation. Citrulline antibody is an immune protein (antibody) that binds to a nonstandard amino acid (citrulline) that...
Amyloidosis facts Readers Comments 8 Share Your Story Amyloidosis develops as a result of abnormal protein deposits in various organs and tissues. Amyloidosis is a rare disease that is a consequence of abnormal protein (amyloid) deposits in body tissues and organs. Amyloidosis can occur as an isolated disease (immunoglobulin light chain or AL amyloidosis, formerly...
What is a joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)? Joint aspiration is typically performed by a doctor or ancillary health care provider as an office procedure or at the bedside of hospitalized patients. Joint aspiration is a procedure whereby a sterile needle and syringe are used to drain synovial fluid from a patient's joint. Joint aspiration is typically...
What is a connective tissue (CT) disease? Readers Comments 8 Share Your Story Connective tissue disease is a group of autoimmune conditions marked by inflammation of the muscle fascias, ligaments and skin. Connective tissue diseases are actually a group of medical diseases. A connective tissue disease is any disease that has the connective tissues of...
What is arthritis? There are four stages of knee osteoarthritis. Painful joint swelling is called arthritis. Osteoarthritis is due to wear and tear of the joints over many years. Arthritis maye develop in any joint, including the fingers, hips and knees. Usually, patients with arthritis feel pain in their joints even after moderate movements. The...
Facts you should know about reactive arthritis Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story Inflammation of the spine leads to joint stiffness and pain with reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis involves inflammation of joints due to an infection in another part of your body. The most common triggers are the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems. Reactive arthritis...
Antiphospholipid syndrome facts Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that can affect virtually any organ. Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome can have a variety of antibodies to phospholipids in their blood. Antiphospholipid syndrome involves excessive blood clotting. Each individual patient with the antiphospholipid syndrome is treated uniquely according to what symptoms are present. The mainstay of...