Arthritis is a term used to describe over 200 rheumatic conditions and diseases that affect the joints, tissues surrounding the joints, and other connective tissues. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, proximately 52.5 million of adults and 300,000 children are diagnosed with arthritis symptoms in America. People of all ages, gender, and race can have it though it is most common among women over 65 years and the leading cause of disability in America.
There are over 200 types of arthritis which are divided into seven main groups namely; infectious, metabolic, inflammatory, degenerative arthritis, back pain, connective tissue disease and soft tissue musculoskeletal pain.
Although there is no single known cause of all the types, causes in any given case may differ depending on the type of arthritis. Potential causes may involve a combination of many factors working together. The major causes include injuries leading to degenerative gout, abnormal metabolism causing pseudo gout, inheritance infections, and dysfunction of the immune system.
The different signs of arthritis are different amongst individuals and vary during the day. The intensity and effects of each symptom discussed below is dependent upon many factors including a patient's age activity, as well as other underlying conditions.
1. Ankle Pain
Ankle pain is a major symptom of gout and pseudo gout. The three bones forming the ankle joint are surrounded with synovia, which secrete synovial fluid to act as a cushion and lubricant. The band of ligaments and muscles in the ankle joint may break down causing ankle pain during movement. The pain may also develop from trauma and injuries around the ankle joint and if left untreated results in the formation of the ankle joint. Once you experience ankle pain, it is important to visit the doctor for a CT or MRI scan to confirm if you have arthritis. Treatment may involve surgery to clean the arthritic joint or replace the joint with an artificial joint and therapy to eliminate the painful motion of joints.
