Arthritis - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Astrocloud · 01-14-2005, 01:39 PM

I just found out that I'm getting arthritis in my right hand along a scar where I broke a bone. My mother and My grandmother had very bad arthritis and I wonder if there is anything that I can do to avoid getting it all over.

Crisis · 01-14-2005, 08:57 PM

I don't really think there is anything to cure or prevent it. Just meds to ease the pain or aid the body in lubricating joints.

VitaminH · 01-14-2005, 09:59 PM

There is essentially two kinds of arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. If it's only on one side of your body in one spot, especially from an injury, it is likely osteoarthritis, which is isolated to only one spot, and will not spread as you said. IF your mother and grandmother had it all over they likely had rheumatoid, which is when your immune system starts attacking your joints.

So put shortly, if it's from the broken bone, you won't get it 'all over'. But if it's rheumatoid then you will and there's not a lot you can do. There are some immunosupressive drugs available to slow the progression, but I won't get into it since that doesn't sound like what is ailing you.

Rodney · 01-15-2005, 05:45 PM

Just in general, exercise for the affected area is a good thing, helps make the area less stiff and less painful; exercise of a particular type, anyway. Will your doc recommend a visit to a physical therapist? The PT should have an exercise or two for you that will help make things better -- not perfect, or even great necessarily, but better.

Astrocloud · 01-15-2005, 06:49 PM

Hmmm. That's a good question. The reason that I even know that it is arthritis is that I explained the pain to a massage therapist and she looked at my hand and told me that it probably was arthritis. I just changed jobs and have yet to get my medical card in the mail... so needless to say going to a doctor (at least immediately) is out of the question.

01-14-2005, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Arthritis I just found out that I'm getting arthritis in my right hand along a scar where I broke a bone. My mother and My grandmother had very bad arthritis and I wonder if there is anything that I can do to avoid getting it all over.

01-14-2005, 09:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
VitaminH An embarrassment to myself and those around me... Location: Pants	There is essentially two kinds of arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. If it's only on one side of your body in one spot, especially from an injury, it is likely osteoarthritis, which is isolated to only one spot, and will not spread as you said. IF your mother and grandmother had it all over they likely had rheumatoid, which is when your immune system starts attacking your joints. So put shortly, if it's from the broken bone, you won't get it 'all over'. But if it's rheumatoid then you will and there's not a lot you can do. There are some immunosupressive drugs available to slow the progression, but I won't get into it since that doesn't sound like what is ailing you. __________________ "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte

01-14-2005, 08:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Crisis Tilted	I don't really think there is anything to cure or prevent it. Just meds to ease the pain or aid the body in lubricating joints.

01-15-2005, 05:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Just in general, exercise for the affected area is a good thing, helps make the area less stiff and less painful; exercise of a particular type, anyway. Will your doc recommend a visit to a physical therapist? The PT should have an exercise or two for you that will help make things better -- not perfect, or even great necessarily, but better.

01-15-2005, 06:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Hmmm. That's a good question. The reason that I even know that it is arthritis is that I explained the pain to a massage therapist and she looked at my hand and told me that it probably was arthritis. I just changed jobs and have yet to get my medical card in the mail... so needless to say going to a doctor (at least immediately) is out of the question.