Rheumatoid Arthritis  What does the term arthritis refer to in
Rheumatoid Arthritis?  A Answers (1)    • ADevi Nampiaparampil,
MD, Pain Medicine, answered      Arthritis is a general term
that refers to joint injury and damage. A joint is any area
where two bones come together and can move against each other.
For example, the knee joint is the area where the femur (the
thigh bone) and the tibia (the leg bone) come together.      The
most common type of arthritis is "osteoarthritis." This is
usually caused by wear-and-tear. We will all have osteoarthritis
if we live long enough.      People with rheumatoid
arthritis can also develop joint injury and damage. However, the
cause of the injury is different. In rheumatoid arthritis, the
body mistakes its own cells for enemy cells (ex. bacteria,
cancer cells, etc.). Therefore, it attacks its own cells. The
body forms "antibodies" against its own joints, which leads to
joint inflammation and damage.      More Answers from Devi
Nampiaparampil, MD  Did You See?  Close