Q: What is inflammatory osteoarthritis? Is this different from "regular" osteoarthritis?
A: For most people familiar with osteoarthritis (OA), the term “inflammatory osteoarthritis” sounds like an oxymoron. That’s because we typically think of arthritis as being either inflammatory (such as rheumatoid arthritis [RA]) or non-inflammatory (such as OA).
However, there is a form of OA that is clearly inflammatory. It typically comes on suddenly in middle-aged women, affecting the last (closest to the fingernail) and middle joints of the fingers. For someone unfamiliar with inflammatory osteoarthritis, it can easily be confused with other forms of inflammatory arthritis that affect the fingers, such as RA or psoriatic arthritis.
If you have sudden pain and swelling of the joints in your fingers, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis, because treatment for this inflammatory form of OA is different from treatment for RA or typical OA. Inflammatory osteoarthritis is generally treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, very rarely, corticosteroid injections directly into the affected joints. The disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate and leflunomide (Arava) prescribed for RA are not appropriate for this type of arthritis.
A physician who is familiar with your clinical, laboratory and X-ray findings will be able to provide the proper diagnosis and therapy for this condition.
Paul Howard, MD, Rheumatologist
Inflammatory Osteoarthritis: An Oxymoron
Maria 02 Oct 2009, 03:42 |
| I had been having pain all over my body lately, so bad I can't let anyone barely touch me. And stabbing pains as well .I saw a specialist this week and he says it is Oa inflammatory. I guess I never thought anything of it I have had chronic pain for years since my motorcycle accident. I am also type 2 diabetic just started meds months ago and still not good control rhuemy says it is affecting my stomach as well and that I have been a diabetic longer than my recent diagnosis and that is contributing to my pain as well as apnea. I am up and can't sleep because of gabapentin. No sleep, burning eyes, constant pain what next lol... at least I am not snorring poor hubby...whine whine whine. |
SarahBeth 23 Sep 2009, 13:06 |
| I have demineralization in the bones of my feet and have had surgery to
fuse some of the joints, which has helped. However, I will face more
operations in the future, as my condition is degenerative. It is in both
feet and is steadily eroding them. I have osteoarthritis in both hands and have a hard time doing much with them, although I slog on as best as I can to take care of my family. I also have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past several years. I am able to have excellent control through diet and exercise. I am very worried that I will end up in a wheelchair because of my feet. My rheumatologist says that I have osteoarthritis. The radiologist who read my CT scan said that the bones are full of holes (cysts) and that it is consistent with a systemic type of arthritis. The surgeon agreed. My rheumatologist disagrees. My primary physician would like me to get a 2nd opinion from a rheumatologist. Does anyone know of an excellent one in the greater Boston area, possibly in Maryland? |
Linda 11 Sep 2009, 09:21 |
| Hi, as I said before, I was devastated because I loved my job and wanted to
work til I was 65. I didn't quite get my 30 years in so had to take early
retirement. My former Rheumatologist has me on Plaquinil. Is anyone else taking that for arthritis? He said what I have is erosive (inflammatory) osteoarthritis. I am worried that SSDI might not see that as a disability. Rheumatoid is disabling but Osteo is not. My finger tips are very red and painful during a flare up, or when I lift something that weighs more than 5 pounds. My newer Rheumy just reffered to it as Osteo and I corrected her that it is Inflammatory erosive osteo. I also have immune system problems. The Endocrinologist told me that. The newer Rheumy was surprised to hear that. I wish I knew what I had. I did recently get a bunch of tests done for arthritis but they probably won't show anything. |
Deb 27 Aug 2009, 17:25 |
| This has really surprised me, because I think it explains the pain in the
balls of my foot (where I have had multiple metatarsal stress fractures) as
well as the sudden swelling and severe pain in the IP joint of my right
thumb a few months ago. On X-ray the doc diagnosed severe osteoarthritis
and said the cartilage was virtually gone. I got a brace and put Coban wrap
on the joint. Within a few weeks the same joint on the other thumb went
bad, though not so spectacularly. After I read this post, I checked out erosive/inflammatory osteo on other sites and discovered it also occurs in the feet exactly where I have had intractable pain for years. The orthopedic specialist couldn't help me. I can't have surgery because of my fibromyalgia. Since I can't take anti-inflammatory medicines because of bleeding (even from fish oils), I'm going to try an anti-inflammatory diet. I'm also trying to find every tip I can for protecting these joints. Any info would be greatly appreciated! |
Janet 19 Aug 2009, 23:24 |
| I too have erosive osteo of the hands. Started in my mid 40's affecting on finger and now is in all. About 5 years after the inflammatory arthritis of the hands I developed osteo in most of my other joints and all of my back. I am having a hard time with the disability people understanding that erosive OA of the hands is different than the OA in the rest of my body. Hence my struggle to get a pension disability benefit since I can no longer work. Started working with the inflammatory arthritis in on finger so they say the OA in the rest of my body, which is the reason for my disability is pre-existing. Can anyone shed light on whether Erosive inflammatory arthritis of the hands is a precurser to OA in the rest of the body? |
Linda Weidner 10 Aug 2009, 06:47 |
| I have inflammatory ostoearthritis for several years. One year ago, after recovering from basal thumb surgery,because of my sore fingers and my sore thumb I could no longer lift. I had to leave my job in the school cafeteria one year short of my 30 years. I had a hard time accepting it. I left my Rheumatologist who I went to for several years. He really upset me when he wouldn't give me a note to try and go back to work (I had been out for 3 days, so the school requests a doctor's note). I took early retirement. Lately I'm always tired, very emotional, worry about everything that coould wrong with me. I now have Hashimotos Thyroiditis and I have a very poor memory. I don't like my new Rheumatologist. I saw her twice and she said to call if I have any more problems, and that I didn't need to make another appointment! Now I have been breaking out with itchy things that appear to be hives. My general practitioner is very nice. But sometimes I think she believes I worry too much. She dwells on the fact that I no longer talk to my one son for years. She thinks I need councelling. I'm too tired to go to any more doctors. Sorry this is so long, I had to get it off my chest. Any feedback would be appreciated. I am almost 62 years old. Thanks, Linda. |
matilda 30 Jul 2009, 01:33 |
| I have just been diganosed with erosive (inflammatory) osteoarthritis in my fingers |
Carla 08 May 2009, 15:34 |
| To comments from Shirley Wilson; I see a doctor of oriental medicine about once a week. He always uses acupuncture but sometimes also other treatments. I find the acupuncture helps. It does not make all the pain disappear but it does make a difference. Also the attitude of my doc is so compassionate that is probably half the benefit I see...he does not just "blow-off" my pain and stress. I feel like he really does care about ME. I hope you will be able to find someone just as good near you. |
Veronica 23 Apr 2009, 16:24 |
| Have OA throughout most of my joints. Had a hip replacement 23 years ago and that is still holding up,however my knees are giving me much pain. Received a speriod injection in one knee last week and find that the knee is in more pain than before - has anyone had such a problem? Thank you for any suggestions. |
Shirley Wilson 16 Apr 2009, 10:17 |
| Hi, I have osteoarthritis in both joints (two near the top) of all my
fingers also at the base of one thumb. but I am sure I will get it in the
other thumb as well. also in one of toes, my hips and one knee. I recently
fell on the ice this winter and fx a vertabrae in my spine and I am
suffering a lot of pain there also., I cannot take nsaids because of high
bp which we are having a hard time getting contol of.So every day tasks are
becvoming difficult. I still work part time and try to do some exercise.
but what else can I do? Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
Bunny 07 Apr 2009, 10:33 |
| Thanks for the info. I always like to know all I can find out about a condition I have. Thanks and God Bless: Bunny |
