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
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Marianne Byrd
23 Aug 2010, 09:50
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| I was first diax. w/RA when I was 33 years old. Thru the years I've been
told no, yes, maybe, IOA, Well folks just wait. I am now 72 years old and the drs. are telling me - what do you expect? It's one of the symptoms of the body ageing. So what was wrong when I was 33? Why don't the drs. even listen. At the very least they could just say "I don't know". Instead of contradicting each other and me. |
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V
21 Aug 2010, 18:57
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| I have been diagnosed with Inflammatory Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis and Asthma. I can't take NSAIDs because of stomach issues and high blood pressure. I am taking Plaqunil for four months now and it is really helping. I stopped taking it for two days, and I soon noticed the difference. I also had a high dose of steroids a while back for a really bad asthma attack. Too bad that can't be taken on a regular basis.......too many side effects...........but what wonders it did for my aching joints. My orhtopedic said both of my knees will have to be replaced in the near future. Someone posted she couldn't have surgery because of the fibro. I have never hard that before. Does anyone else know of fibro being a barrier to surgery? |
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Cathy
28 Jul 2010, 14:52
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| I came down with a mysterious disease while on vacation last summer in Hawaii-painful swollen joints in my feet, hands and shoulders. Prscription strength nsaids helped for a while, but then seems ineffective. I was referred to a rheumatologist and we went through a couple of siagnoses until it was labeled inflammatory osteoarthritis.I was on steroids and painfree-however, they were not something I wanted to be on for a long time. I was weaned off of them by my rheumatologist but would have flare ups that essentially left me bound to a lounge chair and not able to do anything. She put me on plaquenil last Nov. and by Jan. the flareups were gone. I get small aches and pains from arthritis but that is a small price to pay compared to the disabling pain I had before. There are also some side effects to plaquenil that I have to keep an eye on(liver damage, alchohal intake needs to be very limited if used at all, and colorblindness), but again a small price to pay for the huge pain relief I have. I do take prescription NSAIDS when I know I'm going to have an active hand day(I teach prechool part time and always take it on that day). I really hope all of you find relief from your pain-please ask you doc about plaquenil(it is mainly used for malaria, but they have found it helps those with inflammatory osteoarthritis on the side). One other thing I'd like to mention to-if there are emotional things that are causing you stress, it may be worth the time and money to look into counseling. I realized there some major events in my life that were taking a toll on me and the counseling really helped with that too. |
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betsy
11 Jul 2010, 09:46
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| I had a very hard time coming to terms with I.O.R. and my family is having
a hard time as well. We have been given very little hope. It's like a
wild fire consuming by body that no one can put out. There seems to be
very little awareness of this condition and I'm going to do what can to
change that. I've started with my family and friends and I e-mailed Dr. Oz
and any one else I could think of. The squeaky wheel gets oiled first!
Spread the word, hope every body has as little pain as possible. Bless You All, Betsy |
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KL
07 Jul 2010, 13:03
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| Greeting, pain sufferers, and my complete sympathy. Why is is it so
difficult to get a decent diagnosis of inflammatory OA, or any kind of
arthritis? I have suffered with moderate pain for ten years. Most recent
x-rays showed minor to now moderate hip, sacroiliac, knee, and lumbar spine
degenerative changes (most from very old injuries and decades of working
like a pack animal). I have had MRI, x-rays, dexascan, that all show the
damage and deterioration. My GP has done the inflammatory blood tests, over
and over again. My bone scan numbers and density is good. My blood work
numbers are borderline for RA (which runs in my mother's family. All her
sibs had it, and an aunt died from scleraderma and RA complications). I'm
currently in so much pain from my right hip, right knee, sacroiliac (S1-S2
sublimation damage), 4 herniated lumbar disks with moderate damage shown in
my MRI, and have gone through Ibuprofen, meds for Fibro, Celebrex,
Meloxocam, now Arthrotec with Darvocet for really bad pain days. It takes
the edge off. The pain started with Menopause 4 years ago, and then
worsened with a move to the Midwest and the weather/barometric pressure
patterns. The onslaught was quick, as Menopause completed, I couldn't even
comb or wash my own hair when it started, couldn't lift my arms that high
(above my chest), pain in my wrists, hands, and fingers were like claws and
hurt. My feet and ankles swelled up and hurt. My left shoulder cracked and
popped most audibly (bursae injured years ago), and sometimes very
painfully. I slept with my wrists and hands in cold packs, and if my
husband accidentally hit my hands/wrists in his sleep, I shrieked in agony.
He was afraid to get close to me, and I couldn't bear to have my shoulders
or arms rubbed or massaged, so there was no pain relief. Right before all
this, I had lost 40 pounds, was walking several miles a day and working on
our farm! Now cannot move without a severe limp, and using a cane most days
to save the right hip & knee. I quickly researched and went on an
anti-inflammatory diet, have used all the natural therapies and supplements
for two years (still do), started reading all kinds of books and medical
journal reports on therapies, but cannot get past the medical views of hip
replacement, more NSAIDS, drugs, possible back surgery, and get used to
living with it, you're 54. My life turned upside down in two really painful
years, and I'm now looking into SSDI since my savings are gone and I can't
sit, stand, or work at anything with the pain. Is anyone else going through
this kind of frustration with their doctors, and the current trends that
don't help or sympathize with your issues? I had an active life before this
happened, now after going through all the pain, depression, research, and
now anger, I'm wondering what the future holds? Arthritis is a major
health issue, with all kinds of inflammatory conditions branching off the
core diseases. We aren't alone. Why isn't more being done? Why does it take
so long to find a good doctor who actually listens and cares about your OA
and inflammation? The only good news is that my Fibromyalgia finally got
under control at last (without the standard drugs--ugh!), Fibro pain is so
different. The OA is bad enough! I'm sorry to vent, I guess nobody else
cares about your pain, except those who also share it. Thanks for letting
me rant. I hope all find relief at soonest, we all deserve it! |
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mags
30 Jun 2010, 22:37
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| Hi everyone, sorry to hear about all the pain you are suffering- I now know that i'm not alone. I am 47 years old and have been suffering with back pain off and on for quite a few years. The last few years the back pain has been more frequent. At the moment it is every day and I also have groin, hip and knee pain. I am also having pain in both thighs when Im out walking. My doc gave me a letter to go for an x-ray, she thinks it is osteoarthritis. How long do you think it will take for the hospital to get back to my doc with the results? |
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betsy
29 Jun 2010, 22:12
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| Dear Mrs. Bea Richards Your recent life experiences sounds almost idenical to mine, I was diognosed today with inflammatory OA, 6/29/10, that's why I'm at this web site. I real do feel your pain,just please don't give up. You are not alone on those sleepless nights, because I'll be there to and I'm sure many other as well. Thanks to everyone for sharing, I don't feel so alone how. Bless You all, Betsy |
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Denise C.
26 Jun 2010, 14:15
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| Hi everyone, After reading all the comments about OA I can't help but wonder why only RA and not OA is considered a disability. I,ve got OA in both the basal joints of my thumb and am currenly recovering from replacement surgery of the right one. I'm sure I will need the left one done as well.and even when I've recovered I doubt I'll have the strength or dexterity in my hands to perform my job. I also have arthritis in the other fingers of my right hand which causes alot of swelling. All the jobs I've ever worked relied on my physical abilities. Well, time for retraining! Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. |
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BEA RICHARDS
18 Jun 2010, 07:48
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| After several years and many visits to my GP i have been diognosed with
inflamatory Osteo Arthritis . At the moment I am going through a bad spell
, pain, sleepless nights, depression, meds help but dont take the pain away
completely, i am always tired and find it difficult to function. My dear husband is a true blessing, Bea |
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Dorinne
26 Mar 2010, 21:06
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| I have had inflamatory osteoarthritis as well as two other types of reactive arthritis for almost 10 years. My rheumatologist gives me a Medrol shot every 3-6 months and it helps a great deal. It also allows my nsaids work better. Don't know what I would do without it. |
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maggie knight
04 Feb 2010, 11:57
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| I have recently been diagnosed with I.OA.I am just coming to terms with my disability if you can call it that as I don't consider I am. Yes I can't open jars and tins, peel potatoes and carrots or write for very long but I can still move about - just, as I also have it in my spine, R.hip, and L. shoulder and knee. I am lucky it is not in my feet like some of you. I am on a lot of meds. some of which make me sleepy but I keep going. I go to aqua fit classes twice a week, the gym once and do water walking and jogging on another. I also walk my Australian cattle dog every evening so I am trying to keep positive. I've had one thumb joint replacement and am due for the other sometime but don't think I will as it has made the I OA worse. funny but I am also type 2 diabetic- do you think that plays a part in it. I am waiting now to see the Rheumatologist to get some "help" if it is at all possible. I tell others whom I have met to stay positive as I do believe it does help. Good luck to you all. |
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Maria
02 Oct 2009, 03:42
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| 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. |
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SarahBeth
23 Sep 2009, 13:06
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| 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? |
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Linda
11 Sep 2009, 09:21
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| 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. |
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Deb
27 Aug 2009, 17:25
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| 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! |
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Janet
19 Aug 2009, 23:24
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| 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? |
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Linda Weidner
10 Aug 2009, 06:47
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| 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. |
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matilda
30 Jul 2009, 01:33
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| I have just been diganosed with erosive (inflammatory) osteoarthritis in my fingers |
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Carla
08 May 2009, 15:34
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| 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. |
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Veronica
23 Apr 2009, 16:24
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| 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. |
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Shirley Wilson
16 Apr 2009, 10:17
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| 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. |
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Bunny
07 Apr 2009, 10:33
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| Thanks for the info. I always like to know all I can find out about a condition I have. Thanks and God Bless: Bunny |
I have combined these with accupuncture and am nowable to go for short walks(15 mins. Go talk to a Homeopathic doctor and an accupuncturist. what have you got to lose?