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Questions and Answers about Arthritis and ExerciseKEY WORDSAerobic exercise:Exercise that requires continuous, rhythmic motion of large muscle groups such as the quadriceps. Swimming, running, and walking are examples of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise also improves the ability to perform activities of daily living. Ankylosing spondylitis:Arthritis:The term arthritis literally means joint inflammation, but it also is used to refer to more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints and may also affect other parts of the body. Atrophy:Decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue. When muscles are not used, they atrophy (get smaller and weaker). Biofeedback:A way to enhance a body signal so that one is aware of something that usually occurs at a level below consciousness. An electronic device provides information about a body function (such as heart rate) so that the person using biofeedback can learn to control that function. Biofeedback can help people with arthritis learn to relax their muscles. In this case, an electronic device amplifies the sound of a muscle contracting, so the arthritis patient knows that the muscle is not relaxed. Body mechanics:Correct positioning of the body for a given task, such as lifting a heavy object or typing. Cardiovascular:Involving the heart and the circulatory system. Cartilage:A tough, stretchy tissue that covers the ends of bones to form a low-friction, shock-absorbing surface for joints. Collagen:A fibrous protein that is one of the main building blocks of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage, and other connective tissues. Connective tissue:The supporting framework of the body and the internal organs- -including bone, cartilage, and ligaments. Degenerative joint disease:See osteoarthritis (OA). Endorphin:A substance produced in the brain or nervous system that stops pain naturally. Endurance:The ability to continue a given task. Exercise:Movement of the body designed to improve its physical condition. The goals of an arthritis exercise program are to improve physical conditioning, muscle strength, flexibility, well-being, and function. Fibromyalgia:A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. Fibrous capsule:A tough wrapping of tendons and ligaments that surrounds the joint. Flare:A period of time in which disease symptoms reappear or become worse. Flexibility:Ability to bend various joints and move freely. Gout:A type of arthritis caused by the reaction of the body to needle-like crystals of uric acid that accumulate in joint spaces. This reaction causes inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected joint, most commonly the big toe. Hydrotherapy:Therapy that takes place in the water. Inflammation:A typical reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Internist:A doctor who specializes in internal medicine (not requiring surgery). Isometrics:Isometric exercises are exercises that cause a muscle to contract and do work while joints do not move, for example, pushing against a wall. Joint:The place where two bones meet. Most joints are composed of cartilage, joint space, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments. Joint space:The area enclosed within the fibrous capsule and synovium. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis:A chronic arthritis of childhood that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints and may also affect other parts of the body. Ligaments:Stretchy bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone. Manipulation:Trained professionals such as chiropractors or osteopaths use their hands to help restore normal movement to stiff joints. Microwaves:Microwave therapy is a type of deep heat therapy. The electromagnetic waves pass between electrodes placed on the patient’s skin. This creates heat that increases blood flow and relieves muscle and joint pain. Mobilization therapies:A group of treatments that include traction, massage, and manipulation. When used by a trained professional, these methods can help control pain and increase joint and muscle motion. Muscle:Tissue that can contract, producing movement or force. There are three types of muscle: striated muscle, attached to bones; smooth muscle, found in such tissues as the stomach and blood vessels; and cardiac muscle, which forms the walls of the heart. For striated muscle to function at its ideal level, the joint and surrounding structures must be in good condition. Nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):A group of medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and related drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Osteoarthritis:OA (also know as degenerative joint disease) primarily affects cartilage within the joints, causing it to fray, wear, ulcerate, and in extreme cases, to wear away entirely, leaving a bone-on-bone joint. At the edges of the joint, bony spurs may form. OA can cause joint pain, loss of function, reduced joint motion, and deformity. Disability results most often from disease in the spine and in the weight-bearing joints (knees and hips). Polymyositis:A rheumatic disease that causes weakness and inflammation of muscles. Physiatrist:A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and management of injuries and diseases causing pain, loss of function, and disability. Treatment plans often include the use of exercise, massage, heat, electricity (TENS), relaxation techniques, splints and braces, and local injections to relieve pain. Psoriatic arthritis:Joint inflammation that occurs in about 5 to 10 percent of people with psoriasis (a common skin disorder). Range of motion (ROM):The ability of a joint to go through all its normal movements. Range-of-motion exercises help increase or maintain flexibility and movement in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Relaxation therapy:People with arthritis use relaxation to release the tension in their muscles, which relieves pain. Rehabilitation specialist:See physiatrist. Rheumatoid arthritis:An often chronic systemic disease that causes inflammatory changes in the synovium, or joint lining, that result in pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints. The disease can also affect other parts of the body. Rheumatologist:A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Short waves:These deliver deep heat to relieve pain. (Short waves are not used much currently because of problems in people with pacemakers.) Spondyloarthropathies:A group of rheumatic diseases that affect the spine, such as Reiter’s syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis. Strengthening exercises:Exercises that build stronger muscles, for example, exercises that require movement against a force (weight lifting or isometric exercises). Synovial fluid:Fluid released into movable joints by surrounding membranes. This fluid lubricates the joint and reduces friction. Synovium:A thin membrane that lines a joint and releases a fluid that allows the joint to move easily. Systemic lupus erythematosus:Lupus is a type of immune system disorder known as an autoimmune disease, which causes the body to harm its own healthy cells and tissues. This leads to inflammation and damage of various body tissues. Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Tendons:Tough, fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation):Passes electricity to nerve cells through electrodes placed on the patient’s skin. TENS is used to relieve pain. Traction:Gentle, steady pulling along the length of body structure, for example, the spine or neck. Transcutaneous:Through the skin. Ultrasound:Sound waves that provide deep heat to relieve pain.
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