Bone and Joint Health FAQs

The cause of inflammation in certain people is not completely known. Specialists are looking at a combination of factors such as genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle. It is not yet known which factor weighs most heavily in determining whether a person will suffer from joint inflammation. It is known that a combination of the above three risk factors is involved.

Despite what many people believe, tendonitis is not a form of arthritis. A word containing “-itis" refers to an inflammation of a specific body part. Tendonitis is an inflammation of one’s tendons. Since tendons are attached to bones, located near the joints, tendonitis can often mimic arthritis.

There are many symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. The most common ones include: pain with weight bearing exercises; pain that increases during the day and decreases with rest; swelling, tenderness, and joint stiffness, and loss of motion.

Each person heals differently and at a different rate. Not everyone will be able to properly heal from such a debilitating trauma as having fractured a hip. Furthermore, most people suffering from fractured hips are typically older, more fragile, and have already had difficulties moving.

Gout is an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints caused by either an abnormal metabolism of purines, where the body breaks down too many proteins into uric acid, or by an inability to get rid of uric acid in the urine. It is accompanied by sudden attacks of extreme pain and tenderness, and can at times be coupled with chills or a low-grade fever. Heat, redness, and swelling are also typically prevalent in the area with gout.

Stair training is a technique where a therapist will watch a patient go up and down stairs to assess where their trouble points are. The therapist will determine an exercise plan to make the person stronger and help with climbing stairs.

The decision to go through with joint replacement surgery is a very personal one. Some people with arthritis may not have excessive pain, if any at all. Others with the same condition may suffer through debilitating pain. The fundamental damage underlying various forms of arthritis is the loss of articular cartilage, the spongy cushion which covers the moving surfaces of joints. Patients should understand that once cartilage is lost, it cannot be re-grown.

The predominant symptoms resulting from arthritis are pain and stiffness. Pain relief is the most common reason for undergoing joint replacement. For example, hip and shoulder arthritis may eventually cause night pain that interrupts sleep, and this is often a strong indication to consider replacement surgery. Other indications usually relate to quality of life issues, when the arthritis prevents patients from taking part in something that they greatly enjoy and want to keep on doing.

It is important to keep in mind that there will be a prescribed rehabilitation process following joint replacement. For example, for a person who is considering having a knee replacement surgery in order to be able to resume long walks or attend exercise classes, they may be incapable of doing so in the early rehabilitation stage after surgery. As with any surgery, the final decision is made by the patient after a thorough discussion with their surgeon and consulting physicians regarding the risks and anticipated benefits.

posted 7/18/2006

Transcribed by Robyn Wiesel, Public and Patient Education Program Coordinator