Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which inflammation (pain, heat and swelling) affects the joints, particularly the hands, feet and knees and sometimes other organs of the body. Joint stiffness is common, especially in the morning. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but there are effective ways to manage it. read more…

 

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that targets the joints of the spine, particularly the sacroiliac (SI) joint, where the spine attaches to the pelvis. Symptoms include back pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. read more…

Gout is a common form of arthritis. Pain often occurs in the big toe joint, knee, ankle, elbow and other joints. A gout attack is sudden and painful. Gout is caused by a build-up of a waste product, uric acid, in the bloodstream. Excess uric acid settles in joints, causing inflammation, pain and swelling. Alcohol, overeating, dieting and dehydration can trigger a gout attack. read more…

The neck and shoulders are prone to injury. Trauma, poor posture and arthritis are common causes of neck pain, and tendon problems and instability frequently occur in the shoulder. Treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy or remedial massage can generally help neck and shoulder pain. read more…

Back problems can be caused by injury, inflammation, tension or spasm, and may affect muscles, ligaments, cartilage or bone. Arthritis, muscle strain, osteoporosis, sciatica and stress are other common causes. Treatment can include exercise, manual therapy (including massage) and medication. Staying active is an important part of managing back pain. read more…

Fibromyalgia is a condition in which people describe symptoms that include widespread pain and tenderness in the body, often accompanied by fatigue, cognitive disturbance and emotional distress. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from mild to severe. read more…

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a condition causing pain and stiffness in older adults. Typical symptoms include muscle aches and stiffness, fatigue and difficulty raising arms above shoulder height. Middle-aged and older women are most commonly affected. About one in five people with polymyalgia rheumatica experience giant cell arteritis. read more…

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes various tissues in the body to become inflamed (swollen and painful). The symptoms depend on which tissues are affected. Lupus can occur in any susceptible person of either sex at any age, but is more common in women of childbearing age. read more…

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. It is not contagious. Symptoms include red scaly patches on skin, itchiness and flaking of the skin. Psoriasis can also affect the nails and may cause arthritis (psoriatic arthritis). There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be well controlled with treatment. read more…

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints. The two bones of a joint are normally protected by smooth, cushioning material called cartilage. In osteoarthritis, cartilage breaks down, causing pain and stiffness in the joint. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. read more…

The neck and shoulders are prone to injury. Trauma, poor posture and arthritis are common causes of neck pain, and tendon problems and instability frequently occur in the shoulder. Treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy or remedial massage can generally help neck and shoulder pain. read more…

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the eyes and salivary glands, but can affect different parts of the body. Symptoms include dry and itchy eyes, a dry mouth, thirst and swallowing difficulties. Although there is no cure, proper treatment should provide comfort and relief. read more…

The systemic vasculitides are characterized by inflammation of blood vessel walls. Vessels of any type, in any organ can be affected, resulting in a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms. The heterogenous nature of vasculitides presents a diagnostic challenge. The American College of Rheumatology classification criteria and the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature are the most widely used to distinguish different forms of vasculitis. The Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature defines 10 primary vasculitides based on vessel size (large, medium, and small). The diagnosis relies on the recognition of a compatible clinical presentation supported by specific laboratory or imaging tests and confirmatory histology. Antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody testing has been of particular benefit in defining a subgroup of small vessel vasculitides. Treatment is based on clinical presentation and the pattern of organ involvement. Glucocorticoids are the primary treatment for many forms of vasculitis. Additional immunosuppressive agents, including methotrexate and cyclophosphamide, are sometimes required. Newer approaches, such as the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor or B cell therapies, are being tried in resistant cases. Patients can experience considerable treatment-related toxicity, especially infection from immunosuppressive therapy and adverse effects from steroids (e.g., osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, cataract). Vitamin D and calcium prophylaxis are recommended in patients on long-term steroid therapy.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose their strength and density. They become fragile, weak and brittle, and can fracture (break) more easily. Osteoporosis particularly affects women after menopause and in their later years, although some men are also affected. Activity and a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis. read more…

Ultrasound scans are used to study a person’s internal body structures. A machine sends out high-frequency sound waves and records the reflected sound or echoes to create an image. Ultrasound is commonly used to study the developing fetus, abdominal and pelvic organs, muscles and joints, the heart and blood vessels. Other names for an ultrasound scan include sonogram and ultrasonography. read more…

A common cause of a painful joint is synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the joint). It can be useful to inject corticosteroid and/or local anaesthetic medication directly into the joint or the soft tissue next to a joint (this is often called a bursa) to reduce the inflammation and provide pain relief. Reduction in pain may make physical therapy more effective.

This procedure is most often used in the shoulder, knee, or hip but may also be helpful in other joints. read more…

An epidural injection can be used for most people, usually giving a safe and effective form of pain relief. read more…

The facet joints are sliding joints at the back of the spine which allow for mobility. Like any joint, then may become arthritic and therefore cause back pain. read more…

 

This leaflet answers some common questions about Aclasta.

It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. read more…