ABSTRACT
Danter, Joyce H. APRN-BC, ANP, GNP, MSN
Author Information Joyce H. Danter is an adult/geriatric nurse practitioner at Radford and Associates, PA, Dallas, Tex.
There are over 100 types of arthralgias, but all share the symptoms of joint inflammation or fluid within a joint causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion (ROM). The most common arthralgia is osteoarthritis (OA) followed by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Less common arthralgias include psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, gout, infectious arthritis, and bursitis. 1 Although OA and RA are different, the treatment goals of decreasing pain and joint destruction are similar.
Introduction
Osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million people in the United States. The cost of arthritis includes medications, physical and occupational therapy, lost days from work, lost productivity, medical management, and outpatient facility costs. In 2003, it was estimated that arthralgias cost approximately $128 billion. This was an $80 billion increase from 1997. 3 With the aging of the baby boomers, the costs and occurrences of arthritis are expected to continue rising.
Pathophysiology
A joint is the point where two or more bones come together. A normal joint consists of bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bursa, and synovial fluid. These structures work together to dissipate the force placed upon the joint due to motion ...
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