Arthritis is a term used to describe more than 100 different conditions that affect the joints in the body. The word “arthritis” actually means inflammation of a joint. Almost every animal that can walk is susceptible to this inflammation. Although many types of arthritis have common aspects, each type has its own pattern of symptoms and affects different people in different ways. 

Two major forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system appears to go awry and attacks healthy parts of the body, particularly the joints. In severe cases, the joints become deformed and internal organs are adversely affected. 

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is also called degenerative joint disease or "wear and tear" arthritis. Almost everyone is affected by it to some extent as they grow older. It most frequently occurs in weight-bearing joints, mainly knees, hips and ankles. 

This form of arthritis slowly and gradually breaks down the cartilage that covers the ends of each bone in a joint. Normally, cartilage acts as a shock absorber, providing a smooth surface between the bones; but, with osteoarthritis, the smooth surface becomes rough and pitted. In advanced stages, it may wear away completely. Without their normal gliding surfaces, the bones grind against one another, causing inflammation, pain and restricted movement. In osteoarthritis of the knee, the shape of the bone and appearance of the leg may change over the years. Many people become bowlegged or knock-kneed. In osteoarthritis of the hip, the affected leg may appear shorter. 

While there is no cure for arthritis, advances in technology continue to develop new ways to manage symptoms of osteoarthritis. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, increase the strength of the joints, maintain or improve joint movement and reduce the disabling effects of osteoarthritis. Treatment often depends on the joints involved and can include medicines, lifestyle changes, physical therapy and surgery. 

The most common medications used to treat osteoarthritis are pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen and can be either over-the-counter or prescription medications. While NSAIDs often work well, long-term use of these drugs is not recommended as they can cause stomach problems, increased risk of heart attack or stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding. 

Another medicine used to treat osteoarthritis is cortisone, a steroid injected directly into the joint. Cortisone injections are used to treat inflammation of the joint and pain. For some people these injections can reduce or relieve osteoarthritis symptoms for months or even years. 

In addition to medication, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that can offer relief of osteoarthritis symptoms. These can include: 

• Ice treatments – Ice packs on the knee (three times daily, 10-20 minutes at a time) can be helpful for inflammation and temporary relief of pain and soreness.
• Heat – Applying heat can be beneficial to warm up the joint prior to exercise or activity.
• Diet – While there is no evidence that any specific foods will prevent or relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, a balanced diet is important to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can aggravate arthritis by putting added pressure on the joints.
• Exercise and physical therapy can be beneficial in reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis by improving muscle strength and regaining motion in stiff joints. Water exercises, such as swimming, can be especially helpful as they provide exercise in a low-impact environment. ​

In some cases, surgery can be the best treatment option for osteoarthritis. The most common joint surgeries for osteoarthritis relief are arthroscopy and joint replacement. Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions of the joint using a small instrument that allows surgeons to see inside a joint and repair problems through a very small incision. Unfortunately, arthroscopic procedures generally are not helpful for arthritis. In some cases, a flap of torn knee cartilage can aggravate arthritis and cause additional pain. The cartilage flap can be removed by arthroscopy and may reduce or eliminate the pain. 

Joint replacement surgery can be a very effective solution to the pain and disability of advanced osteoarthritis. During joint replacement, the rough, worn surfaces of the joint are relined with smooth-surfaced metal and plastic components.

Sprains and strains are common injuries that share similar signs and symptoms, but involve different parts of your body including your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hips, knees, hamstrings, ankles and even lower back. A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another in your joints. A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Strains often occur in the lower back and in the hamstring muscle in the back of your thigh. 

For mild sprains and strains your physician will likely recommend basic home treatment, such as over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc). In cases of a mild or moderate sprain or strain, apply ice to the area as soon as possible to minimize swelling. In cases of severe sprain or strain, your physician may immobilize the area with a brace or splint. In rare cases in which a ligament has torn or the muscle has ruptured, surgery may be necessary to repair the injury.

A fracture is a break in bone or cartilage. Although they usually result from trauma, a fracture can be the result of an acquired disease of bone, such as osteoporosis. Fractures can happen in any bone in your body but are most commonly seen in the shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle. A “fracture”, “break”, and “crack” all mean the same thing. There are many types of fractures that require different types of treatment.      

Immobilization in the form of a fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment. Most broken bones can heal successfully once they have been repositioned and a cast has been applied to keep the broken ends in proper position while they heal. A functional cast or brace may also be an option. This case or brace allows limited or "controlled" movement of nearby joints. This treatment is desirable for some, but not all, fractures. For more severe fractures, surgery may be necessary. During the operation, bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) to their normal alignment and then held together with special screws or by attaching metal plates to the outer surface of the bone. The fragments may also be held together by inserting rods down through the marrow space in the center of the bone.

Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small fluid-filled pads, called bursae (bur-SEE), that act as cushions between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip, however it is possible for bursitis to occur in your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.      

If the inflammation in your bursa is caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic medication. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy or exercises to strengthen the muscles in the affected area to ease pain and prevent recurrence. Your doctor may also inject a corticosteroid drug into the bursa to relieve inflammation. This treatment generally brings rapid pain relief and, in many cases, one injection is all you'll need. In some cases, an inflamed bursa must be surgically drained, but only rarely is surgical removal of the affected bursa necessary.

Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. Tendinitis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the affected area, or from a sudden more serious injury.      

The most common treatment for tendonitis is avoiding activities that aggravate the problem and resting the injured area. Icing the area the day of the injury and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines or using topical anti-inflammatory gels may also provide relief. Some advanced treatments include, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy or in rare cases surgery if the condition does not respond to other treatments.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow, typically called by overuse. When the muscle is used over and over again, small tears develop in the tendon, causing inflammation and pain where the tendon attaches to the bone. This injury is common in people who play a lot of tennis or other racquet sports, hence the name "tennis elbow." Backhand is the most common stroke to cause symptoms. However, any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist (like using a screwdriver) can lead to this condition. Therefore, painters, plumbers, construction workers, cooks, and butchers are all more likely to develop tennis elbow. This condition may also be due to constant computer keyboard and mouse use.      

The first step toward recovery is to give your arm proper rest and avoid activities that cause your symptoms for at least two to three weeks. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen may also help to reduce pain and swelling. Your physician or physical therapist can also recommend specific exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearm. A therapist may also perform ultrasound, ice massage, or muscle-stimulating techniques to improve muscle healing. Using a brace centered over the back of your forearm may also help relieve symptoms of tennis elbow. This can reduce symptoms by resting the muscles and tendons. Approximately 80% to 95% of patients have success with nonsurgical treatment.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a hand and arm condition that causes numbness, tingling and other symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in your wrist. A number of factors can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, including the anatomy of your wrist, certain underlying health problems and possibly patterns of hand use. Bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand and the nine tendons that bend your fingers. Compression of the nerve produces the numbness, tingling and, eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal tunnel syndrome.      

A splint that holds your wrist still while you sleep can help relieve nighttime symptoms of tingling and numbness. Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) may help relieve pain from carpal tunnel syndrome in the short term. Your doctor may also inject your carpal tunnel with a corticosteroid such as cortisone to relieve your pain. Surgery to fix carpal tunnel syndrome is typically a last resort when other methods of treatment have proven unsuccessful. The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure on your median nerve by cutting the ligament.     

A dislocation is an injury to a joint — a place where two or more of your bones come together — in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. This painful injury temporarily deforms and immobilizes your joint. Dislocation is most common in the shoulders and fingers. Other sites for dislocations include the elbows, knees and hips. If you suspect a dislocation, seek prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions. When treated properly, most dislocations return to normal function after several weeks of rest and rehabilitation. However, some joints, such as your shoulder, may have an increased risk of repeat dislocation.     

Treatment of the dislocation depends on the site and severity of your injury. Reduction is the process in which your physician may try some gentle maneuvers to help your bone shift back into proper position. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling, you may need a local anesthetic or even a general anesthetic before manipulation of your bones. Once your bones are back in the correct position, your physician may immobilize your joint with a splint or sling for several weeks. How long you wear the splint or sling depends on the joint involved and the extent of damage to nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues. You may need surgery if your doctor can't move your dislocated bones back into their correct positions or if the nearby blood vessels, nerves or ligaments have been damaged. Surgery may also be necessary if you have had recurring dislocations, especially of your shoulder. After your splint or sling is removed, you'll begin a gradual rehabilitation program designed to restore your joint's range of motion and strength.