Joints.
Last updated Wednesday, January 19, 2005
|
Figure 2 - Normal joint versus inflamed joint Joint inflammationWhat 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. What is joint inflammation? 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.
How useful was this page or article?
|
|