LOOKING AT ARTHRITIS: BURSITIS, TENNIS ELBOW, PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND
RHEUMATIC FEVER
Bursitis
Bursitis is the name given to the situation where an inflammatory condition of the bursae exists. The bursae are’ closed sacs’ which are lined with a special membrane and which facilitate the movement of muscles and tendons over bony surfaces. Housemaid’s knee is possibly one of the most commonly known forms of bursitis but there are others which affect areas such as the elbow or the heel. There are several causes for the various types of bursitis, ranging from too much kneeling in the case of housemaid’s knee, through direct injury and the introduction of organisms in septic bursitis, to abnormal deposition of calcium around the rotator tendons in calcareous tendinitis (bursitis of the shoulder).
Tennis elbow
Tennis Elbow is a condition not truly named because it is not restricted to tennis players. Any occupation which involves frequent and repeated extension of the wrist can bring on this condition. It is, again, an inflammatory condition with associated pain and restriction of flexibility. Whilst the affected region is principally the elbow, the problem can involve the muscles on either side, depending on the cause. For instance, if the condition occurs after playing tennis or squash, the outer side of the elbow would be the region most likely to be affected. If it occurred after, say, golf or cricket, then probably the inner side would take the strain and be the one to be affected.
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of the disease in which two conditions exist. The first is psoriasis, which is an inflammatory condition of the skin, and the second has features which are very similar to rheumatoid arthritis. The two conditions are believed to be associated and not merely coincidental. It is also quite probable with psoriatic arthritis that heredity may be a significant feature in its occurrence.
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is a different kind of disease altogether and we have some knowledge of its causes. This condition may result in an attack on many organs of the body. If the heart is the organ affected, then the results may be fatal. If the particular area attacked by the fever involves connective tissue or an articular function, the arthritic association becomes apparent.
Fortunately with the development of better health and sanitation standards throughout the world the incidence of this disease should decrease. This is because rheumatic fever occurs as the result of infection by bacteria of the type known as the Streptococci. It should be pointed out that not all infections by Streptococci result in rheumatic fever. Only a certain group of these bacteria are effective and even then there may be other factors, besides the presence of these pathogenic organisms, which are necessary for the condition to develop. Although Streptococcal infections can occur even amongst the best regulated populations, the probability of any bacteriological infection is reduced with good hygiene and public health standards.
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