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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Severe arthritis, particularly if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to take care of daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may become twisted and deformed.

References
  1. Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_aqa.asp. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  2. Arthritis advice. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/arthritis.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  3. 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&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50282-2&uniqId=227265748-3. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  4. Arthritis: Frequently asked questions - General public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs.htm. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  5. 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&sectionEid=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.
  6. Schur PH, et al. General principles of management of rheumatoid arthritis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  7. Weissman BN, et al. Diagnostic imaging of joint pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  8. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 27, 2010.
  9. Kalunian KC. Pharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  10. Kalunian KC. Nonpharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
DS01122 Jan. 22, 2011

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