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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
The pain associated with arthritis is caused by joint damage. Joints are made up of the following parts:
- Cartilage. A hard, but slick, coating on the ends of bones, cartilage allows bones of the joint to slide smoothly over each other.
- Joint capsule. This tough membrane encloses all the joint parts.
- Synovium. This thin membrane lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint and nourishes the cartilage.
How arthritis damages joints
The two main types of arthritis damage joints in different ways.
- Osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, wear-and-tear damage to cartilage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricts movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years, or it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks joints and inflames the synovium, causing swelling, redness and pain. The disease can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
References
- Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_aqa.asp. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Arthritis advice. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/arthritis.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Arend WP, et al. Approach to the patient with rheumatic disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50282-2&isbn=978-1-4160-2805-5&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50282-2&uniqId=227265748-3. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Arthritis: Frequently asked questions - General public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Davis JM, et al. History and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10035-X&isbn=978-1-4160-3285-4&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10035-X&uniqId=227265748-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10035-X. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Schur PH, et al. General principles of management of rheumatoid arthritis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Weissman BN, et al. Diagnostic imaging of joint pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 27, 2010.
- Kalunian KC. Pharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Kalunian KC. Nonpharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Chronic pain and CAM: At a glance. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/chronic.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
- Sawitzke AD, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2010;69:1459.
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