Disorders Related to Bones

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints — a painful disorder of bones, ligaments, tendons, etc., in which the joints become swollen, stiff and painful, and which can lead to disability. Arthritis is of three types:

i. Osteoarthritis — the joint cartilage degenerates, caused by various factors such as ageing, obesity, and muscle weakness. This is the most common type of arthritis, and typically affects the hands, knees and spine.

ii. Gouty arthritis (gout) — joint pain occurs due to the deposition of uric acid in the joints. If uric acid is produced in excess, or is not adequately excreted, it accumulates in the joints as sodium urate, degenerating the cartilage and causing inflammation and pain; it generally affects the joints of the feet.

iii. Rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The synovial membrane swells up and starts secreting extra synovial fluid; this fluid exerts pressure on the joint and makes it painful. The membrane may develop an abnormal granulation tissue called pannus, which may erode the cartilage; the resulting fibrous tissue may get ossified and lead to stiffness in the joint. …