Acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis, also known as AC joint arthrosis and osteoarthritis of the AC joint, is the wearing down of the cartilage in the AC joint. It is most often diagnosed in those in their 40s and older.

Unlike glenohumeral arthritis, or shoulder arthritis, which is the wearing down of the cartilage of the humerus (long arm bone) at the socket of the shoulder joint, AC joint arthritis is the wearing down of the cartilage at the acromion and the clavicle at the AC joint.

The primary cause for AC joint arthritis is general use. Though lifelong activities placing unusual stress on the shoulder joint, or earlier AC joint injuries such as shoulder separation, puts some at greater risk than others for the disease. Others more susceptible to the disease include workers who must use their arms for extended periods of time or athletes involved in overhead lifting. Blunt force to the shoulder, in either contact sports or in an accident, also leave a person susceptible.

Symptoms of AC joint arthritis include: pain and sensitivity at the front of the shoulder around the joint; discomfort when applying pressure to the area while sleeping; pain during certain arm and shoulder movements that may span the shoulder area, chest and neck; and swelling. Patients may also experience a reduction in range of shoulder motion.

Diagnosis
After assessing a patient's history and a physical examination, an X-ray will help show the degree of joint damage. And a series of X-rays can help determine the rate of progression.

Treatment
Treatment is determined based on the affect the arthritis has had on a patient's joint at the time of diagnosis, as well as the type of joint affected. It may involve conservative treatment - including cold compression, anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, refrain from inflammatory activity, cortisone injections, and rehabilitation and occupational therapy to improve range of motion.

In more advanced cases nonresponsive to conservative treatment, either a resection arthropolasty or a complete shoulder replacement may be indicated.

The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of preventing irreversible damage.

Arthritis affecting the basilar joint of the thumb, or the first carpometacarpal joint located near the wrist bone, is called Basilar joint arthritis.

A form of osteoarthritis, Basilar joint arthritis affects women more commonly than men. It generally occurs after the age of 40, as a result of many of the same joint conditions prompting osteoarthritis of other joints - joint instability, cartilage deterioration, wear and tear.

The unique shapes of the small bones of the thumb permit its movement in and out of the plane of the palm to oppose the other fingers. The stability of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb depends on several small ligaments, which allow movement but remain close to the joint surfaces. If the ligaments loosen and permit too much sliding of the joint surfaces, increased wear on the joint cartilage may occur - leading to arthritis. A fracture or injury can also lead to joint dysfunction and deterioration, ultimately leading to arthritis as well.

Inflammation may occur as joint degeneration progresses. Pain is prominent when pressure is applied to the joint in pinching and grasping activities. If left untreated, joint surfaces are eventually destroyed and bony spurs may develop around the joint. In severe cases, there may be complete joint destruction, an inward collapse of the metacarpal, and deterioration around the trapezium. Other joints may also become affected as they react to the changes.

Basilar joint arthritis will produce pain that progresses over time, eventually discouraging use of the thumb. This correspondingly results in joint weakness and muscle loss. Upon examination, there may be swelling at the base of the thumb as a result of joint inflammation.

Diagnosis
After assessing a patient's history and a physical examination of the thumb, an X-ray may help show the degree of joint damage. And a series of X-rays can help determine the rate of progression.

Treatment
Treatment is determined based on the affect the arthritis has had on a patient's joint at the time of diagnosis. It may involve conservative treatment - including anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, refrain from inflammatory activity, corticosteroid injections, rehabilitation and occupational therapy, as well as splinting of the thumb to help support it - reducing pain and preventing deformity.

In more advanced cases arthroplasty is indicated in order to remove the damaged joint surfaces and create a substitute joint - eliminating pain, and improving strength and range of motion.

The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of preventing irreversible damage.

Posttraumatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that results from an earlier injury. Intra articular trauma (injury within a joint) can, years later, lead to a gradual deterioration of the joint surfaces.

While the damage may not always be evident, an injury such as a sprain or fracture can cause articular cartilage damage. A more severe injury may even tear pieces of the cartilage from the bone and require surgical removal. Since cartilage does not grow back, smoothing the jagged and torn edges is the best way to relieve pain and improve joint function. Scar tissue then forms in place of the missing cartilage. This changes joint function and predisposes the patient to posttraumatic arthritis.

Even when an injury does not damage the articular cartilage directly, it can be indirectly affected when the injury - such as a fracture healing in a position slightly different than its initial alignment, or damaged ligaments leading to joint instability - alters the manner in which a joint functions.

Symptoms of posttraumatic arthritis include swelling, tenderness, joint instability, pain and possibly internal bleeding.

Diagnosis
After assessing a patient's history and a physical examination, an X-ray may help show the degree of joint damage. And a series of X-rays can help determine the rate of progression.

Treatment
Treatment is determined based on the affect the arthritis has had on a patient's joints at the time of diagnosis, as well as the type of joint affected. It may involve conservative treatment - including anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, refrain from inflammatory activity, cortisone injections, and rehabilitation and occupational therapy (particularly when affecting hands and fingers).

In more advanced cases joint fusion, or arthrodesis, may be indicated in order to eliminate pain by allowing the bones to grow, or fuse, together. While this reduces range of motion, it is successful in eliminating pain and preventing deformity.

Joint replacement, or arthroplasty, is also an option depending on the health of the patient and advanced stage of the disease.

The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of preventing irreversible damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common and serious inflammatory forms of arthritis - affecting approximately 1 percent of the total population. It is an aggressive autoimmune type of arthritis that can dramatically reduce life span if left untreated.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common form of childhood arthritis.

RA is a systemic disease that affects the synovial tissue, which lines the joints. The body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium - which over time can destroy the joint tissues, including cartilage, ligaments, tendons and bone. In the upper body, RA can occur in joints in the fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder.

RA changes the normal structure and function of cartilage and may increase a patient’s risk of developing osteoarthritis. RA can be a chronic condition, or produce periods of active symptoms (flare ups) and periods of no symptoms (remission).

In RA of the fingers, deformity becomes evident as the disease progresses. The MCP joints of the fingers may begin to point sideways towards the little finger. This is known as the ulnar drift. This drift can cause weakness and pain, making daily activities difficult.

The exact causes for RA, as with other forms of arthritis, are unknown. Though genetics are thought to play a large role. Environmental factors are also thought to play a role in who is diagnosed. Research indicates that RA can be triggered by an infection, possibly a virus or bacterium, in those hereditarily predisposed to the disease.

Signs of RA include joint swelling, limited range of motion, tenderness, pain during motion, and joint "warmth." If experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks, a medical consult is advised.

As RA progresses in some patients, small lumps of tissue under the skin may develop. These are called rheumatoid nodules and may form under the skin of the elbow or hands.

Diagnosis
Following an assessment of a patient's history and a physical examination, a number of tests can be performed to assist in the diagnosis of RA. Blood tests can identify agents indicative of RA. And the appropriate radiographic testing over a period of time can reveal joint damage and progression of the disease.

Treatment
Treatment is determined based on the affect RA has had on a patient's joints at the time of diagnosis, as well as the type of joint affected. It may involve conservative treatment - including anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, refrain from inflammatory activity, cortisone injections, rehabilitation and occupational therapy (particularly when affecting hands and fingers), as well as special bracing of hands and fingers to help support them - reducing pain and preventing deformity.

In more advanced cases, joint fusion, or arthrodesis, may be indicated in order to eliminate pain by allowing the bones to grow, or fuse, together. While this reduces range of motion, it is successful in eliminating pain and preventing deformity.

Joint replacement, or arthroplasty, is also an option depending on the health of the patient and advanced stage of the disease.

The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of preventing irreversible damage.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most common forms of arthritis in the United States. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it starts with a breakdown of joint cartilage that results in pain and stiffness.

Among the upper body joints, it most frequently affects the fingers. Nearly 90 percent of women and 80 percent of men between the ages of 75 and 79 have X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in their hands.

Though less frequently, it also affects the wrists, elbows and shoulders. When found in these joints, there is generally a history of injury or extreme stress to the joint. Repetitive work-related injury and physical trauma can contribute to the development of OA as well.

While the specific cause of OA is unknown, it is believed that repetitive stress and history of injury weakness and begins to tear down the cartilage that helps cushion the bones in the joint, and the process of joint degeneration begins.

OA is a less aggressive form of arthritis than Rheumatoid. It progresses slowly. Early signs include joint ache following physical activity or a work out.

Other symptoms associated with OA include: swelling and tenderness in the joint, stiffness following periods of inactivity, pain and inflammation in the joint, and possible feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone, or crunching, when the joint is use.

Though OA can begin when young, it generally occurs in older adults. OA is more often diagnosed in men before the age of 45 and in women after the age of 45. Some risk factors include a history of joint injury or repeated stress, a double-jointed ability, and a genetic defect affecting cartilage health.

If experiencing joint pain, stiffness and/or swelling in excess of two weeks, a medical consult is advised.

Diagnosis
After assessing a patient’s history and a physical examination, an X-ray may help show the degree of joint damage. And a series of X-rays can help determine the rate of progression. Joint aspiration, which is the removal of synovial fluid from the affected joint, may also assist in diagnosis.

Treatment
Treatment is determined based on the affect OA has had on a patient's joints at the time of diagnosis, as well as the type of joint affected. It may involve conservative treatment - including anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, refrain from inflammatory activity, cortisone injections, rehabilitation and occupational therapy (particularly when affecting hands and fingers), as well as special bracing of hands and fingers to help support them - reducing pain and preventing deformity.

In more advanced cases joint fusion, or arthrodesis may be indicated in order to eliminate pain by allowing the bones to grow, or fuse, together. While this reduces range of motion, it is successful in eliminating pain and preventing deformity.

Joint replacement, or arthroplasty, is also an option depending on the health of the patient and advanced stage of the disease.

The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of preventing irreversible damage.