Arthropathy

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

<languages /><translate> Any disorder of the joints such as arthritis.

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Jaccoud arthropathy hand x-ray front

Etiology[edit | edit source]

The word Arthropathy comes from two Greek words:Arthron which means joint and Pathos which means suffering or disease.

Types[edit | edit source]

Arthropathy can be of different types: It can be inflammatory such as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative such as osteoarthritis, reactive such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis, crystal deposition such as gout or pseudogout based on etiology and they can also be congenital or acquired.

Charcot arthropathy
Charcot arthropathy

Some examples of arthritis / arthropathy:

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis is arthritis that affects the spine.
  • Gout is caused by crystals that build up in the joints.
  • Juvenile arthritis is the term used to describe arthritis in children.
  • Osteoarthritis usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows a joint injury.
  • Psoriatic arthritis can occur in people who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches) that affects the skin, joints, and areas where tissues attach to bone.
  • Reactive arthritis is pain or swelling in a joint that is caused by an infection in your body.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis an autoimmune disease that happens when the body’s own defense system doesn’t work properly.
Charcot arthropathy X-ray
Charcot arthropathy X-ray

Arthritis is seen with other conditions are called reactive arthropathy such as:

  • Lupus happens when the body’s defense system harms the joints, heart, skin, kidneys, and other organs.
  • Infection that gets into a joint and destroys the cushion between the bones.

Classification of joint diseases[edit | edit source]

Rheumatoid arthritis joint
Rheumatoid arthritis joint

Joint diseases can be classified as follows:

  • Noninfectious arthritis
Gout
Gout

With arthropathy in the name[edit | edit source]

Spondylarthropathy is any form of arthropathy of the vertebral column.

Feet in Reiters syndrome
Feet in Reiters syndrome

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of arthritis can include:

  • Pain, redness, heat, and swelling in your joints.
  • Trouble moving around.
  • Fever.
  • Weight loss.
  • Breathing problems.
  • Rash or itch.
  • Gait problems etc.

These symptoms may also be signs of other illnesses.

Cause[edit | edit source]

  • Some genes have been identified in certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis.
  • People with osteoarthritis may have inherited cartilage weakness.
  • If you have the gene, something in your environment may trigger the condition - in those that genetically predisposed, things such as repeated joint injury may lead to osteoarthritis.
Septic arthritis of left hip joint with melioidosis
Septic arthritis of left hip joint with melioidosis

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

The arthropathies are diagnosed with a detailed medical history, physical exam, blood tests, joint fluid aspiration and or culture at times, x-rays, CT scan or MRI etc.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment depends on the cause. If the joint disease is due to another systemic problem, then treat the underlying disease such as lupus, psoriasis etc. Possible treatments include:

  • Medications such Pain relievers that are taken by mouth, creams or ointments that are rubbed into the skin over sore muscles or joints to relieve pain.
  • Medications that may slow the course of the disease and prevent further damage to joints or other parts of the body.
  • Surgery, such as joint replacement.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Preventing injuries, reducing risk of crystal deposition such as dietary changes in terms of gout, timely treatment of any underlying disease etc.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

See also[edit | edit source]



Arthropathy Resources

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD