Tessa Jones, age 11, of Haggerstown, Md., for her question:
WHAT CAUSES ARTHRITIS?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints of the body. The term refers to all the conditions that cause stiffness, swelling, soreness or pain in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis. Some are caused by infections, some by injury, some by aging and some by entirely unknown causes.
There are more than 11 million persons in the United States and Canada who suffer from some form of arthritis.
Chronic arthritis is common. It has three main forms: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Osteoarthritis results from wear and tear on the joints. Most people over 50 years of age have ostero arthritis in some degree. This disease is the most common cause of painful knees, backs and fingers.
Osteoarthritis seldom causes crippling. This form of arthritis is a painful nuisance to many persons because it forces them to slow down. The treatment consists mainly of moderation of activity, use of heat, taking aspirin and, in severe cases, injections of cortisone drugs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is often called "the great crippler." This form of arthritis can develop in persons of any age. But it most commonly attacks middle aged persons. The disease is progressive, involving many joints. It causes much swelling and pain.
Eventually with rheumatoid arthritis the joints stiffen in deformed positions, producing crippling. Fever, weakness of muscles and loss of weight are common.
Gout produces sever swellings in the joints. Crystals of uric acid are deposited in the tissues around the joints. These deposits cause sudden attacks of swelling, particularly in the feet.
The attacks of swelling, usually accompanied by pain, are called gouty arthritis.
The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is difficult and prolonged. Helpful treatments include a well balanced diet, adequate rest balanced with enough physical exercise to prevent stiffening, the use of heat on the joints and taking plenty of aspirin and other pain killing drugs.
Injections of gold salts and the use of cortisone drugs over long periods of time have helped certain persons through this chronic disease with little or no crippling.
In some cases, replacement of patients' joints with plastic or rubber joints enables them to move without pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis has no cure, but more than half of the patients recover enventually.
The Arthritis Foundation sponsors research projects and publishes information on the prevention and treatment of arthritis. The foundation's headquarters are located at 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036.