2024年3月9日发(作者：)

医学英语阅读：关节炎

definition

arthritis involves inflammation of one or more joints

and the breakdown of cartilage. cartilage normally protects

the joint, allowing for smooth movement. cartilage also

absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when

you walk or otherwise bear weight. without the usual amount

of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling,

and stiffness.

causes, incidence, and risk factors

you may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons,

including：

* broken bone

* infection (usually caused by bacteria or viruses)

* an autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because

the immune system believes a body part is foreign)

* general "wear and tear" on joints

often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has

healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been

cleared.

with some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does

not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and

deformity. when this happens, you have chronic arthritis.

osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to

occur as you age. you may feel it in any of your joints, but

most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. risk factors

for osteoarthritis include： * being overweight

* previously injuring the affected joint

* using the affected joint in a repetitive action that

puts stress on the joint (baseball players, ballet dancers,

and construction workers are all at risk)

arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. about

37 million people in america have arthritis of some kind,

which is almost 1 out of every 7 people.

other types or cause of arthritis include：

* rheumatoid arthritis (in adults)

* juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (in children)

* systemic lupus erythematosus (sle)

* gout

* scleroderma

* psoriatic arthritis

* ankylosing spondylitis

* reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis)

* adult still's disease

* viral arthritis

* gonococcal arthritis

* other bacterial infections (non-gonococcal bacterial

arthritis)

* tertiary lyme disease (the late stage)

* tuberculous arthritis

* fungal infections such as blastomycosis

symptoms

if you have arthritis, you may experience：

* joint pain

* joint swelling

* stiffness, especially in the morning

* warmth around a joint

* redness of the skin around a joint

* reduced ability to move the joint

signs and tests

first, your doctor will take a detailed medical history

to see if arthritis or another musculoskeletal problem is the

likely cause of your symptoms. next, a thorough physical

examination may show that fluid is collecting around the

joint. (this is called an "effusion.") the joint may be

tender when it is gently pressed, and may be warm and red

(especially in infectious arthritis and autoimmune arthritis).

it may be painful or difficult to rotate the joints in some

directions. this is known as "limited range-of-motion."

in some autoimmune forms of arthritis, the joints may

become deformed if the disease is not treated. such joint