Definition
Inflammation of the joint, also known in medical circles as arthritis, is a joint disease that originates in the synovial tissue. The synovial tissue is part of the joint capsule and consists of a certain type of cells that produce the joint fluid, the so-called synovia. A distinction is made between monoarthritis, in which only one joint is affected, and polyarthritis involving several joints.
In addition, there is a division into acute and chronic inflammation. The acute inflammation of the joint starts suddenly and in most cases subsides after a relatively short time. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, develops insidiously over a longer period of time without a clear starting point. A complete recovery does not usually take place.
Symptoms
The symptoms of joint inflammation are the same as for other inflammations. The joint hurts and is often swollen, overheated and reddened. In addition, it can usually only be moved to a limited extent.
Depending on the cause of the inflammation of the joint, other specific symptoms occur. In rheumatoid arthritis, for example, there is increased pain at night and in the morning hours. Morning stiffness is also frequently reported and swelling is typically found in the base and middle joints of the fingers.
All in all, the small joints are more likely to be affected in the rheumatoid form. The complaints can be alleviated by cold applications. If the inflammation of the joint is related to gout, in many cases the metatarsophalangeal joint of the toe is affected first. This is where the typical signs of inflammation with swelling, redness, overheating and severe pain are found. Inflammations in the joint can also cause pain in the groin area.
Cause
The causes for inflammation of a joint are numerous. One possible cause can be an infection with bacteria, which then spreads to the joints and thus leads to an inflammation of the joint. Typical pathogens that can trigger arthritis are staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli (an intestinal bacterium), salmonella and Haemophilus influenzae.
Joint inflammation caused by bacteria is also called infectious arthritis. Joint inflammation can also be caused by fungi or viruses. Another group of inflammations are the reactive inflammations.
These inflammations, often also called Reiter’s syndrome, are preceded by a frequently unnoticed infection in the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract or the urogenital tract. In contrast to infectious inflammation, however, no pathogens are found directly in the joint in reactive arthritis. Joint inflammation can also occur in the context of autoimmune diseases.
Here rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis should be mentioned. Psoriatic arthritis is a concomitant symptom of psoriasis, also called psoriasis vulgaris, hence the name psoriatic arthritis. Certain metabolic diseases, such as gout, which causes uric acid to be deposited in the joints, can also cause joint inflammation. Borreliosis transmitted by ticks is often accompanied by joint inflammation known as Lyme arthritis. A further cause can also be wear and tear of the joint.
