Arthropathy refers to joint diseases with various causes and treatments. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and loss of sensation. Certain diseases and infections increase the risk, while a balanced diet and exercise can reduce it. Crystal and reactive arthropathy are common forms, while facet arthropathy causes back pain and may require surgery.
Arthropathy is an umbrella term that is used to refer to diseases of the joints. There are a number of different forms with a variety of causes that require different approaches to treatment. These conditions can be quite painful and usually require treatment to inhibit further degeneration of the joint. Staying active and eating a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of joint disease and other illnesses.
The symptoms of arthropathy vary depending on the root cause. In many cases, patients experience pain around the joints, which may also feel a little stiff. In the case of neuropathic arthropathy, however, these symptoms are reversed, with patients experiencing a loss of sensation around the joint due to nerve damage. People with certain diseases and beyond a certain age are at increased risk of joint disease, and their healthcare providers usually keep a close eye on their joint health for this very reason, regularly checking for signs of problems.
Another common form is crystal arthropathy, which involves the deposition of crystals in the joint. This form is associated with gout, a painful condition in which uric acid crystals build up in certain joints of the patient. Patients with diabetes are also at risk for related joint diseases, as are patients with irritable bowel disease.
In addition to being caused by an ongoing medical problem, arthropathy can also be the result of an infection or inflammation of the joint or an underlying infection somewhere in the body. This is known as reactive arthropathy, and like all infections, it requires treatment to ensure it doesn’t spread. This condition can be caused by a malfunction of the immune system as it responds to an infection elsewhere in the body, and joint problems with no known cause can be a sign of an infection that needs attention.
Facet arthropathy causes back pain and is caused by degeneration and inflammation of the facet joints of the back. This condition can be extremely uncomfortable, often requiring rest and the use of multiple medications to try and reduce the inflammation and associated pain. In extreme cases, this condition may require surgical treatment.
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