Dr Aakaar Kapoor, Founder & Partner of City Imaging and Clinical Labs talks about Arthritis diagnosis
When arthritis comes up in a conversation, we usually imagine an elderly person suffering from pain in one or more joints and perhaps having difficulty to move around freely.
However, arthritis is not only a disease for the elderly; people of all ages, gender, and races can be afflicted. Globally, over 528 million individuals suffer from osteoarthritis, with knee arthritis being the most common kind, accounting for over 365 million people in 2019. According to a research, India ranks second internationally in terms of osteoarthritis, with around 62.36 million individuals affected. Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 18 million individuals worldwide.
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation or swelling in one or more joints. Arthritis can be difficult to diagnose. Many of the symptoms of various joint disorders are the same. While there are over 100 of these illnesses, the most frequent are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, occurs when cartilage deteriorates over time, typically as a result of a lifetime of usage or a joint injury. This kind of arthritis commonly affects one or more big weight-bearing joints, such as the hip or knee. With this kind of arthritis, pain normally worsens with activity and improves with rest. Symptoms of OA usually worsen at the end of the day.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, affects numerous joints throughout the body and is caused by an overactive immune system, which results in joint inflammation. Arthritis produced by inflammation frequently causes pain and stiffness after periods of rest or inactivity, especially in the morning. Swelling, redness, and warmth may occur in the afflicted joints. Inflammation can also affect other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs like the lungs and heart.
Diagnosing arthritis
Diagnosis of arthritis is the first step toward treatment. To accurately diagnose the condition, healthcare providers may review your medical history and existing symptoms. Following this, your joints are examined closely for swelling, soreness, warmth, or loss of mobility.
After a thorough physical examination, imaging studies like X-rays and MRI or ultrasound are used to determine the type of arthritis you may have. Osteoarthritis is diagnosed via X-rays, which commonly show cartilage degeneration, bone spurs, and, in severe instances, bone grinding against bone. additionally, joint fluid and blood testing are carried out to distinguish osteoarthritis from other kinds and to rule out other medical conditions if any that may be causing symptoms.
Blood testing for rheumatoid arthritis often detect rheumatoid factors (RF), which can also be seen in other illnesses. The anti-CCP test is a novel test for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis that analyses antibody levels in blood. It is more specific and appears to be increased exclusively in persons who have or are likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Innovative treatments and therapies
Medications, physical therapy, and surgical treatments such as joint replacements are among alternatives for treating arthritis. Innovative therapeutics for arthritis and musculoskeletal illnesses are emerging, such as hyaluronic acid injections that lubricate joints and reduce osteoarthritis pain. Genicular Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that alleviates pain and inflammation caused by knee osteoarthritis.
Methotrexate, an anti-inflammatory medication that suppresses the immune system, can aid with pain and stiffness. It might be a beneficial rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Biologics and biosimilars are disease-modifying antirheumatic treatments derived from living organisms that lower inflammation.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy, a targeted injection to relieve pain caused by knee osteoarthritis and accelerate tissue regeneration, is one of the newer, more promising arthritis treatments under investigation.
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