Focus on Arthritis Research

Download or read book Focus on Arthritis Research written by Frank H. Columbus and published by Nova Publishers. This book was released on 2004 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. As the disease develops it can cause severe pain and disability. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful, degenerative joint disease that often involves the hips, knees, neck, lower back, or the small joints of the hands. Treatment usually includes analgesics, topical creams, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (known as NSAIDs); appropriate exercises or physical therapy; joint splinting; or joint replacement surgery for seriously damaged larger joints, such as the knee or hip. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that usually involves the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, feet, or ankles. Focus on Arthritis Research brings together leading research in the field.