Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

Joint Disorders The joint is part of the musculoskeletal system and joins together two or more bones, such as the knee, elbow, hip, and shoulders. These joints can be influenced by various diseases and disorders, which are categorized as inflammatory and non-inflammatory and are reviewed below. Non- Inflammatory Joint Disorders Non-inflammatory joint disorders are associated with pain in the joints without swelling or warmth. There is an absence of systemic symptoms like fever or unintended loss in weight, intermittent and minimal stiffness in the morning, exercise induced stiffness, and traumatic conditions like tears of muscles or tendon around the joints. One vital non-inflammatory joint disorder is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder of the joints that leads to the breakdown of articular cartilage and formation of new bone. Cartilage is the slippery and firm tissues that help in frictionless motions of the joint. A common cause of this disorder is the wearing of the protective cartilage on the end surface of the bones. An absence of cartilage leads to bones rubbing each other. It can be formed at any joint in the body, but is most common in the hands, knees, spine, and hips. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain in the joints during or after movement, tenderness in joints on applying even light pressure, stiffness, loss of flexibility, grating sensation during movements, and spurring of bones. Inflammatory Joint Disorders Inflammatory joint disorders are associated with swelling, redness, pain, warmth, and systemic symptoms like fever, unintended weight loss, and fatigue. Morning stiffness or inactivity induced stiffness is also associated with these join disorders. Inflammatory joint disorders can further be categorized as infectious and non-infectious. Non- Infectious Joint Disorders Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disorder that affects the lining of the joints. It is characterized by pain and swelling that results in erosion and deformation of joints. It is an autoimmune disorder that is caused when the immune system of the body attacks the healthy body tissues, known as synovium, which line the membranes surrounding the joints. The inflammation in this disorder thickens the synovium, which destroys the cartilage as well as the bone within the joint. Further, the tendons and ligaments holding the joint also become weak and stretch. This disorder has the potential to affect other body organs including skin, eyes, blood vessels, and lungs. Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are tenderness, warmth and swelling in joints, morning stiffness lasting for hours, formation of rheumatoid nodules (firm bumps of tissues formed under the skin of arms), and systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, and unintended weight loss.

©2018

Achieve

Page 104

of 131