HOPE For Arthritis Sufferers

Understanding ARTHRITIS

"AT NIGHT, I LOOK AT MY DEFORMED FEET AND HANDS AND I CRY." -MIDORI, JAPAN.

ARTHRITIS has plagued humans for centuries. Egyptian mummies give evidence that the disease existed centuries ago. Explorer Christopher Columbus evidently suffered from it. And millions today are afflicted. Just what is this crippling disease? 

The word "arthritis" is taken from Greek words meaning "inflamed joints" and is associated with a group of well over 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions.  These diseases may affect not only the joints but also the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments that support them. Some forms of arthritis can damage your skin, internal organs, and even your eyes.  Let us focus on two diseases commonly associated with arthritis-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). 

Joint Architecture

A joint where two bones meet. A synovial joint is surrounded by a touch capsule that protects and supports it.  The joint capsule is lined with a synovial membrane.  This membrane produces a slippery fluid.  Within the joint capsule, the ends of two bones are covered with a smooth elastic  tissue known as cartilage.  This prevents your bones from rubbing and grinding against each other. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber as well,  cushioning the ends of your bones  and distributing stress across your bones. 

For example,when you walk, run or jump, the pressure exerted on your hips and knees can be four to eight times your body weight!  While most of the impact is absorbed by  the surrounding muscles and tendons, the cartilage helps your bones to tolerate this load by compressing like a sponge.  

Next time: HOPE For Arthritis Sufferers/Rheumatoid Arthritis

From the Awake! magazine