Ulcerative Colitis

A wide range of disorders can produce pain in the vicinity of joints without actual arthritis.

Examples include bursitis, tendinitis, sprained ligaments, and muscles that are stretched, torn, or in spasm.

A pinched nerve can cause pain that is referred to a joint.

Fibromyalgia produces muscle and joint aches without any inflammatory or structural abnormalities.

Polymyalgia rheumatica causes stiffness and pain, especially in older adults, and is often mistaken for arthritis of the shoulder, neck, or hips.

And the list goes on — which is why rheumatology is a separate specialty of internal medicine.

l Osteoporosis is a disease of bones, not joints.

It’s caused by a deficiency of bone calcium (“thin bones”).

It increases the risk of fractures but is painless until a fracture occurs.

The only reason to confuse it with OA is the similarity of the two names.

Causes and risk factors Until recently, doctors blamed OA on “wear and tear,” implying that simple overuse causes the cartilage to wear away.

It’s a logical theory, but it’s wrong.

Time and mechanical stress do contribute to OA, but the process is really much more complex.

In fact, scientists still don’t understand all the mechanisms involved, but they have identified the major OA risk factors, including: l Age.

Time takes a toll on the whole body, and joints are no exception.

In fact, age is the strongest risk factor for OA.

Although the disease can s...

Read more...