Joint disorders range from inherited conditions to acquired infections and can be hereditary or acquired. Medical professionals can offer assistance to patients struggling with joint ailments. Arthritis is a large family of conditions within joint disorders, and treatment usually focuses on managing associated pain and stiffness. Early recognition and treatment are crucial for a better prognosis.
A joint disorder is a medical condition involving the joints of the body. A number of conditions fall under the umbrella of joint disorders, ranging from inherited conditions to acquired infections. Medical professionals such as rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and geriatric specialists can offer assistance to patients struggling with joint ailments.
Some disorders are hereditary, such as Paget’s disease of the bone, a condition in which bone remodeling is rapidly accelerated. The rapid breakdown and rebuilding of bone can cause arthritis in the joints. People can also acquire conditions such as Charcot joints, also known as neuropathic arthropathy, in which the joints are progressively destroyed because the patient has reduced pain sensitivity. People with this condition can develop inflammation and infection so severe that amputation may be needed to correct the problem if it’s not caught early.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is another example of a joint disorder. This condition involves the chronic inflammation of the jaw bones. Joint disorders can also include the development of tumors in the joints, as tumors can develop anywhere in the body given the right conditions. Another disorder that can involve the joints is osteonecrosis, in which the bone dies because the blood supply is impaired. Joints can also become infected with osteomyelitis.
One of the most famous examples of a joint disorder is gout, a painful condition caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, classically in the big toe. Patients may also develop pseudogout, caused by calcium phosphate crystals. Gout has afflicted people for centuries in many regions of the world, and these conditions can be very debilitating and frustrating, as well as being difficult to treat.
Arthritis is another large family of conditions within joint disorders, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, and Still’s disease. In addition to appearing as a condition on its own, arthritis can also appear secondary to another disease. Many patients with Lyme disease, for example, develop joint pain and eventually arthritis. Treatment for arthritis usually focuses on managing associated pain and stiffness, as progressive damage generally cannot be reversed or repaired.
A joint disorder can be quite painful and difficult to treat. The sooner the condition is recognized and addressed, the better the prognosis will be, because many joint disorders cause progressive damage that can be difficult to deal with. Patients can support joint health with gentle exercise, a balanced diet, and careful care of all joints in the body.
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