pathoscribe

Written by Sophia Qin | Art By Maya Wen

The human body consists of around 360 joints, where two bones intersect. When a joint is inflamed or swollen, the individual is diagnosed with Arthritis, heavily affecting their ability to complete everyday tasks. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 53.2 million United States adults were diagnosed with Arthritis from 2019 to 2021 alone. Although arthritis is common in older people, ages 65 and up, this condition is also commonly found in young adults and children. 

There are various causes for Arthritis, such as genetic defects, infection, overuse, or injury, and they are unique to each person. To accurately assess the condition’s origin, healthcare workers often remove a sample of a patient’s joint fluid and send it to a lab for a proper diagnosis. Individuals who have arthritis tend to have increased pain in their joints, stiffness in their muscles, reduced joint mobility, and redness of the skin. Areas of pain include the shoulders, hips, hands, wrists, spine, and knees. Arthritis can also lead to damaged joint cartilage and surrounding bodily structures, exacerbating the weakness of the joint. Walking, typing on a keyboard, brushing teeth, and climbing stairs become difficult.

Although there is no cure for arthritis, diagnosing the condition early and working with a proper healthcare provider is vital in preventing long-term joint damage. Treatments such as medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes only work to alleviate pain but fail to remove it completely. 

Arthritis research has made significant progress recently, leading to a better understanding of improving treatments and discovering new cures. For example, researchers have discovered several genetic markers such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis involved in arthritis, enabling the identification of potential therapeutic targets. Regenerative medicine, including tissue engineering and stem cell therapy, has also been intensively studied in the past decade, aiding in the development of new treatments that can better target the underlying symptoms of arthritis. Advances in imaging technology (MRI and ultrasounds) have resulted in a more efficient way to diagnose the condition. 

However, there are limitations regarding arthritis treatment in the healthcare industry. Since arthritis is a heterogeneous group of diseases, the overall complexity of the condition makes it challenging to develop a treatment that targets all cases. Despite the immense technological advancements and increased understanding of the field, gaps in knowledge still need to be filled. To combat these limitations, many scientists are expanding their research, addressing the prevention, access, and holistic approaches to improve the lives of many.

Work Cited: 

Zhu, Naiqiang, et al. “Identification of Key Genes in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Based on Bioinformatics Analysis.” Medicine, vol. 97, no. 22, June 2018, p. e10997, https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000010997

“Joints in the Human Body.” VEDANTU, www.vedantu.com/evs/joints-in-human-body   ‌

CDC. “Arthritis Basics.” Arthritis, 3 June 2024, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/?CDC_AAref_Val=www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/arthritis-fast-facts.html. 

“The National Council on Aging.” Www.ncoa.org, www.ncoa.org/article/why-older-adults-shouldnt-ignore-an-osteoarthritis-diagnosis. 

Mueller, Anna-Lena, et al. “Recent Advances in Understanding the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: New Treatment Strategies.” Cells, vol. 10, no. 11, 4 Nov. 2021, p. 3017, http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/11/3017, https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10113017.