There are numerous inflammatory arthritis. Most common form of inflammatory arthritis are;
In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system affects the fluid lining of the joints. About 1% of entire UK population suffers with rheumatoid arthritis. It affects more women mostly between 40 and 60 years of age. But people can get it any age. It tends to affect the small joints first (such as hands and feet). Rheumatoid arthritis is a leading cause for long term disability.
Psoriatic arthritis is another form of autoimmune disease affecting joints. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis may affect any joints including lower back. As the name suggests, people may or may not have psoriasis (a form of rash/ silvery flaky skin - please check with our physiotherapy team or your GP) in their body alongside inflammation on the joints. The small joints may gets (fingers, toes) inflamed and presents with 'sausage like' fingers/ toes called dactylitis (inflammation of digits).
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory back pain due to our autoimmune disorder. Its complexity of symptoms may mislead to have wrong diagnosis. Ankylosing spondylitis mostly affects men than women. Poor management may lead to loss of spinal mobility and reduction in function. Professional help to diagnose early and reduce the disability is important.
Lupus is an inflammatory connective tissue disorder which affects multiple system including joints, skin and internal organs. It is most common in women between ages of 15 and 45 years but can occur at any time of life. The symptom clusters include arthritis, myalgia (inflammation of muscles), facial butterfly like rash, sensitivity to lights and ulcers in various places. Early diagnosis and treatment with professionals help to reduce severe disability.
Polymyalgia rheumatica known as polymyalgia is a condition caused by the inflammation in the muscles around the shoulder girdle, neck and hips. It is common in the UK. Polymyalgia affects mostly women over the age of 70 years. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness around the shoulder, neck and hips affecting the quality of life. It is initially treated medically by your GP and it is very important to have professional physiotherapy to help you with reducing pain, maximise the function without any long term complications. Our physiotherapists at Relive Physiotherapy are skilled to set up a rehabilitation programme to achieve your goals and restore functional independence.
Inflammatory arthritis is an "autoimmune disease". Our immune system is designed to defend our body against infection and inflammation. Occasionally our immune system becomes too active and confused. As a result the immune system picks up a wrong target and attacks our own body and hence it is called an autoimmune disease.
There is no single reason for the inflammatory arthritis has been identified. They are all long term conditions unfortunately has no cure. These long term conditions can greatly benefit from the professional help of our physiotherapists who have wide experience in assessing and treating such conditions with targeted joint protection methods, pain management strategies, self management plan to maximise the joint mobility and strength conditioning.
There is growing evidence for physiotherapy with carefully selected graded exercise based therapy has a profound effect on joint pain, joint flare up (reduced flare up), reduced radiological based joint damage, increased bone remodelling and enhancing functional independence and wellbeing which leads to reduce other disabilities (such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes). There is also evidence suggests that most of the people who suffers with inflammatory arthritis can take part in physical activities.
At Relive Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists have extensive specialised experience in treating people with inflammatory arthritis by developing treatment approaches that suit your needs.
