rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder

There are several types of inflammatory arthritisarthritisInflammation of a joint or joints resulting in pain, swelling and stiffness.; the most common include rheumatoid arthritisrheumatoid arthritisA chronic and progressive systemic inflammatory disease which damages many joints, especially of the hands and... and psoriatic arthritis. These chronic (ongoing) diseases occur as the result of inflammationinflammationA local response to injury due to a physical reaction (such as abrasion), or to chemical or biological agents,... of the lining (synoviumsynoviumThe inner membrane of a joint capsule surrounding a freely movable joint.) of the joints. This inflammationinflammationA localized tissue response initiated by the injury or destruction of vascularized tissues. Inflammation Heat,... is called synovitis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease:

• The first stage is the swelling and inflammation of the synovial lining
• The second stage is rapid cell division and growth that causes the synovium to thicken
• The third stage happens when the inflamed cells release enzymes that may damage boneboneThe hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst... and cartilagecartilageThe hard, thin layer of white glossy tissue that covers the end of bone at a joint. This tissue allows motion ...

Approximately 2.1 million people in the US have rheumatoid arthritis. Anyone can be affected by the disease, including children (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), but 70 percent of those affected are women. Symptoms usually begin between 30 and 50 years of age.

It's not known exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis. It may in fact be a combination of several similar diseases rather than a single disease. It is known, however, that the immune system is a key player in the disease process. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakes healthy jointjointThe junction between the ends of two adjacent bones. tissuetissueA collection of similar cells and the intercellular substances surrounding them. for a foreign invader and attacks it.

Another, less common, form of arthritis that can affect the shoulder is called Sceptic arthritis. This form of arthritis can result from infection from bacteriabacteriaOne of five types of microorganisms that commonly causes disease, characterized by absence of a nucleus and en..., viruses or other microorganisms. It also is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

what are the symptoms of arthritis? how is it diagnosed and treated?

glenohumeral joint arthritis

Glenohumeral joint arthritis occurs in the glenohumeral (ball and socket) joint. The most common symptoms are painpainAn unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, and mediated by specific nerve fibe... and restriction of motion.

To diagnose the condition, the physician will take the patient‘s medical history and examine the shoulder to assess range of motion. X-rays may be helpful to show boneboneThe hard tissue that provides structural support to the body. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite cryst... spursspursA sharp, bony outgrowth located at the end of a bone. and loss of joint space—an indication of damaged cartilagecartilageA usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton.. An MRIMRIShort for magnetic resonance imaging. This is a special radiologic test that allows for excellent imaging of t... also may be ordered to look for joint capsulejoint capsuleThe sac that encloses a joint, formed by an outer fibrous capsule and an inner synovial membrane. swelling and bone spurs.

The physician may suggest NSAIDsNSAIDsA nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen. to treat the pain and inflammation. It also may be necessary to modify some of the activities that affect the patient‘s shoulder movement. The physician also may suggest a corticosteroid injection into the joint to decrease painful symptoms.

Early stages of glenohumeral joint arthritis can often be managed without surgerysurgeryThe branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipula.... However, if arthritis is severe or symptoms are not well controlled with rest, medication and injections, a shoulder replacement may be recommended.

What can patients expect long term?

Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently. In some people, their arthritis progresses rapidly, with severe symptoms. This requires aggressive management of the disease. Fortunately, the development of new medications and innovations in joint preserving or joint replacement procedures are continuing.