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Last updated Wednesday, January 19, 2005
What is inflammation?
Many types of arthritis are characterized by inflammation. Inflammation is a part of the body's healing response, characterized by swelling, redness and warmth (see figure 2). This response is stimulated by injury, infection, surgery and allergic reactions.
Normally, this inflammatory response removes unhealthy and foreign material from the area. It also begins the repair process in which new blood vessels and tissue-rebuilding cells (fibroblasts) come to the injury site. The body's immune system can be viewed much like a demolition company that tears down old buildings so that new ones can be built.
Inflammation in joints
In some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system gets confused and acts as if joint cartilage doesn't belong there. The signs of joint inflammation are typical findings.
This is called an autoimmune response. In other words, the demolition company starts in on an essential building that cannot be rebuilt. Sometimes the inflammation does not stop until the cartilage has been removed from the joint.
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