What is Arthritis?
Bursitis is an inflammation of the sac that cushions the body around the joints, but arthritis is an inflammation of one or more of the joints themselves. The main symptoms of arthritis, joint pain and stiffness, typically progress and worsen with age. While there are many forms of arthritis, the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis -- the most common form of arthritis -- causes the cartilage, or hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of the bones at the joints, to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder that first targets the linings of the joints. Another form of arthritis, gout, is characterized by the buildup of uric acid crystals, which can lead to painful attacks, most commonly at the base of the big toe. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may include:
● Pain
● Stiffness
● Swelling
● Redness
● Decreased range of motion
Treatments for these conditions vary depending on the cause of arthritis, with the main goal being to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life.
What Are the Causes of These Conditions?
Bursitis is most commonly caused by repetitive motions or positions that can irritate the bursa around a joint. Many such motions are work-related, such as extensive kneeling for tasks in construction or housekeeping, or by our activities, such as repeatedly throwing a baseball. Bursitis also can be caused by injury to the affected area or by forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
On the other hand, arthritis causes damage to the affected joints in different ways, depending on the type of arthritis you have. Because osteoarthritis is caused by the wearing down of the joint’s cartilage, enough wear and tear can cause the bones to grind together, causing pain and limiting range of motion. This can happen gradually, over many years, or can be caused by trauma or infection. With rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, called the synovial membrane, causing it to become inflamed and swollen. This disease eventually can cause the destruction of cartilage and bone in the affected joint or joints.