Arthritis
Description of Arthritis:
Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural:
arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the
body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five
years.
There are different forms of arthritis and each has a different cause. The
most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a
result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Emerging evidence
suggests that abnormal anatomy might contribute to the early development of
osteoarthritis[citation needed]. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis
and psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself.
Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gouty arthritis is caused by
deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. There is
also an uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of
calcium pyrophosphate. This gout is known as pseudogout.
Specific Arthritis Information
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