Arthritis Glossary

antimalarials
Drugs normally used to treat malaria but sometimes effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The most commonly used antimalarial is hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil).

arthroplasty
Implantation of a mechanical joint to replace a diseased or damaged joint. Also called total joint replacement surgery.

arthroscopy
A surgical technique that uses a thin tube with a light and tiny video camera at one end to view the inside of a joint.

articular cartilage
The cartilage that covers the ends of the bones.

autoimmune disorder
A disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, that results when the body’s tissues are attacked by its immune system.

bisphosphonate
A class of drugs used to maintain or improve bone density.

Bouchard’s nodes
Knobby overgrowths of the middle joint of the fingers in people with osteoarthritis.

bursa
A small, fluid-filled sac between a tendon and a bone that protects muscles and tendons from coming into direct contact with bones.

bursitis
Inflammation of a bursa, especially in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, or foot.

cartilage
The connective tissue that covers the ends of bones and acts as the body’s shock absorber by cushioning the bones from weight-bearing stress. Cartilage is composed mainly of water and a fibrous protein called collagen.

collagen
The major protein of connective tissue, cartilage, and bone.

connective tissue
A type of supporting tissue found throughout the body. The tissue helps to form membranes that hold internal organs in place.

coronary heart disease
A narrowing of the coronary arteries that results in inadequate blood flow to the heart.

corticosteroids
Potent drugs that are used to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to relieve joint pain in people with osteoarthritis. Also called steroids.

cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors
Anti-inflammatory drugs that work by blocking the COX-2 enzyme (which plays a role in inflammation) but have no effect on the COX-1 enzyme (which helps protect the digestive tract).

cytokines
Proteins secreted by cells in the immune system that are involved in inflammation.

cytoprotective drugs
Medications that decrease the acid content of the stomach, reducing the risk of developing an ulcer when taking NSAIDs.

disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Anti-inflammatory drugs that not only help relieve the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis but also slow the progression of the disease. Once considered a treatment of last resort, they are now the first drugs prescribed.

disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs)
A class of medications aimed at preventing joint damage in people with osteoarthritis by inhibiting the release of enzymes that break down cartilage. To date, no agent has been shown to have this effect in humans.

fibromyalgia syndrome
A rheumatic disorder characterized by body aches, pain, stiffness, sleep disturbances, and fatigue, as well as tenderness in specific sites on the body. It occurs predominantly in women.

gout
A disease characterized by increased blood levels of uric acid, which produces pain and inflammation in the joints, particularly in the foot, ankle, or knee.

Heberden’s nodes
Knobby overgrowths of the joint nearest the fingertips in people with osteoarthritis.

hyaluronic acid
A natural component of synovial fluid, injected directly into the knee joint during viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis.

hyperuricemia
The condition of having excess uric acid in the blood.

immunosuppressant
A medication that suppresses the body’s immune response.

joint capsule
A sac-like envelope that encloses a joint and consists of an inner synovial membrane and an outer fibrous membrane.

joint space
The narrow open area between two bones that meet at a joint.

ligament
A band of fibrous tissue that connects two bones.

lupus
An inflammatory disease of connective tissue that causes skin rash, arthritis, and inflammation of different organs. It occurs primarily in women.

meniscal cartilage
Fibrous cartilage that acts as an additional shock absorber between the bones of the knee.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Medications that relieve joint pain and stiffness by reducing inflammation. Examples are aspirin and ibuprofen.

osteoarthritis (OA)
A type of arthritis characterized by pain and stiffness in the joints, such as those in the hands, hips, knees, spine, or feet, due to the breakdown of cartilage.

pannus
A thickening of the synovial membrane resulting from an overgrowth of synovial cells and an accumulation of white blood cells that occurs as rheumatoid arthritis progresses.

placebo
An inactive substance such as sugar or starch that may be used in a research study to compare its effects to those with active medications.

podagra
Severe pain in the big toe caused by gout.

primary osteoarthritis
The gradual breakdown of cartilage that occurs with age and is due to stress on a joint.

prosthesis
A device or apparatus used as a substitute for a missing part of the body or as an aid for a diseased part of the body.

purine
A substance that can be converted to uric acid in the body.

rheumatoid arthritis
A chronic autoimmune disease characterized by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and, sometimes, destruction of joints.

secondary osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis that results from conditions that cause damage to joint cartilage, such as a joint injury, chronic joint inflammation, overuse of a joint, or obesity.

synovectomy
A treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that involves the removal of the synovial membrane from a joint.

synovial fluid
A lubricating fluid secreted by the synovial membrane.

synovial membrane
Connective tissue that lines the cavity of a joint and produces synovial fluid.

tender point
A specific spot on the body that will elicit pain if touched in people with fibromyalgia.

tophi
Deposits of uric acid crystals in the skin or around joints.

tumor necrosis factor
A protein that plays a major role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

viscosupplementation
A treatment option for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. It involves the injection of hyaluronic acid, a natural component of synovial fluid, directly into the knee joint.

Derived from The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Arthritis

Look In the Book: The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Arthritis

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