Arthritis, rheumatoid
Arthritis, rheumatoid: An autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of joints. Rheumatoid disease can also involve inflammation of tissues in other areas of the body, such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. Because it can affect multiple organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness. Although rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Also known as rheumatoid disease.
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- Arthritis, spondylitis
Arthritis, spondylitis: A form of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine.
- Arthritis, systemic-onset chronic rheumatoid
Arthritis, systemic-onset chronic rheumatoid: See: Arthritis, systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid (Still’s disease).
- Arthritis, systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid
Arthritis, systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid: A form of joint disease in children whose systemic signs and symptoms include high intermittent fever, a salmon-colored skin rash, swollen lymph glands, enlargement of the liver and spleen, inflammation of the lungs (pleuritis), and inflammation around the heart (pericarditis). The arthritis itself may not be immediately apparent, but in time […]
- Arthro-
Arthro-: A prefix meaning joint, as in arthropathy and arthroscopic. Before a vowel, it becomes arthr-, as in arthralgia and arthritis. From the Greek word arthron for joint. Ultimately from an Indo-European root meaning to join or to fit together.
- Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis: A procedure in which a sterile needle and syringe are used to drain fluid from the joint. This is usually done as an office procedure or at the bedside in the hospital. For certain conditions, medication is put into the joint after fluid removal. The needle is then removed, and a bandage or dressing […]