Rheumatic disease is a broad term used to refer to more than 100 different diseases that share some, but not all, traits. What these diseases share in common is the basic inflammatory process from which the term rheumatoid derives. In osteoarthritis, there is inflammation of the joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, there is also inflammation of the joints, but the disease is systemic and affects other body organs and systems as well. Still other rheumatic diseases are described as “autoimmune” diseases, because they are caused by an immune system dysfunction, in which normal, previously healthy tissues instead of diseased tissues, are attacked by the body’s own protective mechanisms.

Types of Rheumatic Diseases

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects an estimated 21 million adults in the United States. The disease affects the cartilage, which normally cushions the joints and permits movement and weight bearing. As the cartilage is gradually destroyed, there is a progressive loss of joint function, and pain and stiffness become the prominent features of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s tissues, particularly the joints. This causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, which can affect one joint only, or one knee and one hip, rheumatoid arthritis is typically bilateral, meaning if one knee is affected the other one is too.  Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in childhood. It causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function of the joints and may be associated with rashes or fevers, and inflammation in other organs and organ systems in the body.
            
Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes pain throughout the tissues that support body organs and permit the joints to move. Pain, stiffness, and localized tender points occur in the muscles and tendons, particularly those of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. Patients also may experience fatigue and sleep disturbances.
          
Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as lupus or SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the its own healthy cells and tissues. This can result in inflammation of and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
          
Scleroderma

Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, literally means "hard skin," because of an over-production of collagen. Although the most visible effect of the disease is to the skin, it also affects blood vessels and joints and may affect internal organs, such as the lungs and kidneys.  
          
Spondyloarthropathies

The term “spondyloarthropathies” refers to a group of rheumatic diseases that principally affect the spine. One common form--ankylosing spondylitis--not only affects the spine, but may also affect the hips, shoulders, and knees as the tendons and ligaments around the bones and joints become inflamed. The disease typically aff ec ts people in late adolescence and early adulthood and causes pain and stiffness. Reactive arthriti s, s ometimes called Reiter's syndrome, is another spondyloarthropathy. It develops after an infection involving the lower urinary tract, bowel, or other organ and is commonly associated with eye problems, skin rashes, and mouth sores.
          
Gout

Gout is an acute form of arthritis that results from deposits of needle-like crystals of uric acid in the joints. The crystals cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected joint, usually the big toe or ankle.
          
Infectious arthritis

Infectious arthritis is another broad term used to describe forms of arthritis that are caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disease that involves the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joint. Symptoms usually include pain, aches, and morning stiffness in the shoulders, hips, neck, and lower back. In some cases, it is the first sign of giant cell arthritis, a disease characterized by inflammation of the arteries, weakness, weight loss, and fever.
          
Polymyositis

Polymyositis is a rheumatic disease that causes inflammation and weakness in the muscles. It can affect the whole body and may cause significant disability.
           
Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that sometimes occurs in association with psoriasis, a skin disorder. Psoriatic arthritis often affects the joints at the ends of the fingers and toes and is accompanied by changes in the fingernails and toenails. There also may be involvement of the spine and back pain.
          
Bursitis

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, which are small, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between bones and other moving structures in the joints. Bursitis can develop in association with arthritis in the affected joint, but also may develop independently as a consequence of infection or injury.   
           
Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons, which are the tough cords of tissue that connect the muscles to bones. Usually, tendonitis is an overuse or traumatic injury, but it also may occur in association with a rheumatic condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Rheumatic diseases may share several similar symptoms, however the underlying disease process can be one of several rheumatic disorders. Therefore, diagnosis is a comprehensive procedure, including a careful, detailed history of your overall health and the progression of the problem you are currently experiencing. Additionally, your doctor may require blood tests, imaging procedures, and other tests, such as laboratory examination of a sample of synovial fluid aspirated from a joint to make the correct diagnosis.

Treatment is similarly individualized, requiring a correct diagnosis and a detailed analysis of how the disease affects your life. Treatment may include lifestyle changes that encourage a positive outlook and active independence, combined with rest and exercise. Medication, a healthy diet, and reduction of stress are also important in treating rheumatic disorders.

Because rheumatic disorders are often characterized by “flarings” of the symptoms, the actual treatment may be two-fold – managing the symptoms during a flare up, and managing the dise ase between flarings to reduce symptoms and the potential for complications. Rehabilitation is key, in that a return to previous levels of function and control of symptoms often requires long-term care and monitoring. Surgical alternat iv es, such as joint replacement, tendon reconstruction, and other procedures may be helpful in relieving pain or reduced function and mobility in affected joints.     

For more information of any of these diseases or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, please call 1-888-563-KNEE(5633).