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Overview for Dietary and Lifestyle or Treatment info
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This is a chronic condition
that can affect many joints in the body. It is a systemic disorder and
is associated with other parts of the body. This problem affects one
to three per cent of the population and is mainly found between the
ages of 30 and 50 years. Women are affected three times more than men
and sufferers may show a family history. The cause of the condition
is unknown although it may well have a genetic cause.
Unlike Osteoarthritis, the point of attack is the synovium. This is
a membrane producing a lubricating substance called synovial fluid,
which eases the action of a joint. Due to unknown influences, there
is infiltration of the joint in question by special inflammatory cells.
The result is that the membrane increases in size to involve the whole
surface of the cartilage producing a mass of tissue called the 'pannus'.
This mass proceeds to destroy the cartilage at the ends of the bone
and even attacks the bone itself. Again, pain is the marked feature
of this condition, being particularly troublesome in the morning. Early
in the process the fingers appear 'spindled' like a rod with a tapered
end. The hand finger and wrist joints are all involved producing joint
instability and deformity. Many joints will be affected but the middle
and lower parts of the spine tend not to be involved. Other body parts
can also be affected by the condition.
Overview | Orthodox
Treatments | Dietary
and Lifestyle
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