Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a disease of the spine in which there is gradual loss of mobility in the joints between the vertebrae. It occurs mainly in males between the ages of 20 and 40.

Back Pain

Back Pain may be caused by muscular strain or a “slipped disk” or it may be associated with some disease of the bones and joints.

Behcet's syndrome

Behcet's syndrome is a disease that involves inflammation of the blood vessels. It causes problems in many parts of the body. The most common symptoms are
Sores in the mouth
Sores on the sex organs
Other skin sores
Swelling of parts of the eye
Pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is fairly common. Symptoms include numbness, tingling and a burning pain in the hand. The symptoms start off by occurring at night, often waking the patient, later they may also be experienced during the day and in some cases be so severe they can interfere with the normal use of the hand.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)

DISH is a form of too much bone growth along the sides of the vertebrae of the spine
It involves inflammation and bone growth where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, such as the elbows, knees and the heels of the feet.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a disorder that affects the connective tissues that support the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. People with EDS disorders tend to have loose joints, skin that stretches easily, and a tendency to bruise.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is the name given to widespread pain affecting the muscles but not the joints. It is a chronic condition, but it is not life-threatening or progressive and does not cause permanent damage to either muscles, bones or joints.

Gonococcal arthritis

Gonococcal arthritis is an infection of the joints, tendons and muscles that occurs in those suffering from gonorrhea. It affects more women than men and usually appears before the age of 30.

Gout

Gout is a chemical defect which causes the accumulation in the bloodstream of a waste product of metabolism also known as uric acid. It is the deposition of crystals of uric acid in the skin, joints and kidneys which is responsible for the symptoms.

Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

Juvenile arthritis refers to a "childhood arthritis" for children under the age of sixteen affected by inflammatory arthritis. Children can develop almost all types of arthritis that affect adults, but the most common type that affects children is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a progressive and potentially serious disease. It can affect nearly every organ in the body. Among the complications that may be seen are inflammation of the membrane lining the heart and the smooth membranous sac enveloping the heart, pleurisy, kidney lesions and disorders of the central nervous system and skin rash.

Lymes Disease

Lyme disease begins by a bite from an insect that is infected by bacterium. The bacterium enters the body and travels to different parts of the body. If untreated, it can progress to produce an infection that involves inflammation affecting joints, the nervous system, the heart and the skin.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints, usually accompanied by pain and stiffness. It causes a great deal of pain and discomfort to a large number of people and affects both males and females alike. The cause of the disease is not known but it is described as a degenerative disorder developing with age.

Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a disease affecting mainly adult women, where the bones are generally softened due to the impaired deposition of calcium. It is thought to be caused by lack of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones are generally thinned. From the age of 20 everyone’s bones become progressively thinner with age. In osteoporosis this thinning becomes faster than normal.

Pagets Disease

Pagets Disease is a disease where areas of bone become thickened and soft and there is an increase in the total number of bone cells. It is quite common in old age especially in men.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is muscular pains throughout the body starting abruptly in the neck and shoulder muscles and then spreading down the back to the buttocks and the thighs accompanied by stiffness, headache, fever and generally feeling unwell.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of joint inflammation affecting individuals with the skin disorder psoriasis. Psoriasis affects 2-3% of the UK population.
Approximately 10-20% of those with psoriasis may develop some form of arthritis.
Joints are typically stiff after resting, early morning or resting in the evening.Tissues such as ligaments, tendons around the joints may be involved.

Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is most common in young women. First the fingertips go white and cold, the fingers become numb and may become stiff due to the blood supply being temporarily cut off. The condition may be slight or severe. In severe cases small ulcers may form on the fingertips and the nails may also be affected.

Reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis is caused by bacteria travelling through the body to the joints between bones. The joints swell and become stiff and painful. It normally affects the joints of the knees, ankles or toes. In extreme cases it can also affect the eyes or skin or muscles.

Repetitive strain injury

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is used to describe a range of painful conditions of the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is mainly caused by repetitive use of part of the body. It is usually related to a job or occupation, but leisure activities can also be a cause.

Rhematoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the connective tissue of the joints. At the onset there may be a general feeling of being unwell, fatigue, and pain and stiffness in the joints. It usually begins with the joints in the fingers spreading to the wrists and elbows.