Arthritis refers to joint inflammation affecting the cartilage, bones, and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement.
Mnemonic: "A.R.T.H.R.I.T.I.S. = Aching, Red, Tender, Hard,
Restricted, Inflamed, Thickened, Immobile, Stiff"
TYPES OF ARTHRITIS
- Osteoarthritis (OA) → Wear & Tear, Cartilage Degeneration, Age-Related.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) → Autoimmune, Chronic, Symmetrical Joint Involvement.
- Gout → Uric Acid Crystal Deposition, Affects Big Toe (Podagra).
- Pseudogout → Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystals, Affects Knee & Wrist.
- Reactive Arthritis → Post-Infection, Asymmetrical, Associated with Urethritis & Conjunctivitis.
- Psoriatic Arthritis → Related to Psoriasis, Nail Changes, Dactylitis.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis → Spine & Sacroiliac Joint Stiffness, Bamboo Spine.
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) → Chronic Arthritis in Children (<16 Years).
- Septic Arthritis → Bacterial Infection, Acute Joint Swelling, Fever.
Mnemonic: "O.R.G.P.R.P.A.J.S." (Osteoarthritis,
Rheumatoid, Gout, Pseudogout, Reactive, Psoriatic, Ankylosing, Juvenile,
Septic)
SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS
- Joint Pain & Tenderness (Worse with Activity in OA, Worse at Rest in RA).
- Morning Stiffness (>30 min in RA, <30 min in OA).
- Swelling, Redness, Warmth Over Joints.
- Decreased Range of Motion & Deformities in Advanced Cases.
- Systemic Symptoms (Fever, Fatigue in Autoimmune Arthritis).
Mnemonic: "P.S.W.M.D." (Pain, Stiffness, Warmth, Motion
Loss, Deformities)
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF
ARTHRITIS
- Osteoarthritis → No Inflammation, Cartilage Loss, Affects Large Joints.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis → Autoimmune, Symmetrical, Affects Small Joints First.
- Gout → Sudden, Severe Pain, Big Toe Involvement, High Uric Acid.
- Pseudogout → Knee & Wrist, Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystals.
- Septic Arthritis → Fever, Red Hot Joint, Medical Emergency.
Mnemonic: "O.R.G.P.S." (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Gout,
Pseudogout, Septic)
DIAGNOSIS OF ARTHRITIS
- Clinical Examination (Joint Swelling, Tenderness, Deformities).
- Blood Tests (ESR, CRP, Rheumatoid Factor, Anti-CCP, Uric Acid, HLA-B27).
- X-ray (Joint Space Narrowing, Osteophytes, Erosions).
- Synovial Fluid Analysis (WBC Count, Crystals in Gout/Pseudogout, Culture for Infection).
- MRI (For Early Cartilage Damage & Soft Tissue Involvement).
Mnemonic: "C.B.X.S.M." (Clinical, Blood, X-ray, Synovial
Fluid, MRI)
TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS
1. LIFESTYLE & PHYSICAL
THERAPY
- Weight Loss & Regular Exercise (Low Impact like Swimming, Cycling).
- Joint Protection (Braces, Orthotics for Support).
- Physiotherapy & Stretching for Mobility.
Mnemonic: "W.J.P." (Weight Loss, Joint Protection,
Physiotherapy)
2. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
- NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac – For Pain & Inflammation).
- DMARDs (Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine – For RA & Autoimmune Arthritis).
- Colchicine & Allopurinol (For Gout – Reduce Uric Acid).
- Steroids (Prednisolone – For Severe Inflammation).
- Biologics (TNF Inhibitors – Etanercept, Infliximab for RA, AS, Psoriatic Arthritis).
Mnemonic: "N.D.C.S.B." (NSAIDs, DMARDs, Colchicine,
Steroids, Biologics)
3. SURGICAL MANAGEMENT (For
Severe Cases)
- Joint Replacement (Hip, Knee – End-Stage OA).
- Arthroscopy (Cartilage Repair & Cleaning).
- Synovectomy (For Chronic Synovitis in RA).
Mnemonic: "J.A.S." (Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy,
Synovectomy)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF
ARTHRITIS
For Stiff, Painful, Swollen Joints:
Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Arnica, Calcarea Fluor.
For Autoimmune Arthritis (RA, Psoriatic, Ankylosing
Spondylitis):
Causticum, Kali Carb, Medorrhinum, Syphilinum.
For Gout & Pseudogout:
Colchicum, Ledum Pal, Urtica Urens, Benzoic Acid.
For Septic Arthritis & Acute Inflammation:
Hepar Sulph, Merc Sol, Pyrogenium.
Mnemonic: "R.B.A.C." (Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Arnica, Calc
Fluor for General Arthritis)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "A.R.T.H.R.I.T.I.S. = Aching, Red, Tender, Hard, Restricted, Inflamed, Thickened, Immobile, Stiff"
- Types = "O.R.G.P.R.P.A.J.S." (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Gout, Pseudogout, Reactive, Psoriatic, Ankylosing, Juvenile, Septic)
- Symptoms = "P.S.W.M.D." (Pain, Stiffness, Warmth, Motion Loss, Deformities)
- Differential = "O.R.G.P.S." (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Gout, Pseudogout, Septic)
- Diagnosis = "C.B.X.S.M." (Clinical, Blood, X-ray, Synovial Fluid, MRI)
- Lifestyle = "W.J.P." (Weight Loss, Joint Protection, Physiotherapy)
- Medical = "N.D.C.S.B." (NSAIDs, DMARDs, Colchicine, Steroids, Biologics)
- Surgical = "J.A.S." (Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy, Synovectomy)
- Homeopathy = "R.B.A.C." (Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Arnica, Calc Fluor for General Arthritis)
