Arthropathies

Arthropathies are a collection of health issues associated with the joints. A group of arthropathic conditions and/or disorders can affect the joints, including sacroiliitis which causes inflammation in the sacroiliac joint. Charcot’s disease, degeneration of a weight-bearing joint and arthrogryposis, or “curving of the joints.” Doctors use the term arthropathy interchangeably with arthritis, which refers to joint inflammation. Different types of arthropathies also include neuropathic arthropathy, nerve damage from diabetes or any other nerve health issue which results in damage to the joints. In people with diabetes, arthropathy usually affects the foot and ankle. Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is where the bone ends of the ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows start to grow abnormally and painfully and fingertips start to become rounded, known as “clubbing.” This type of arthropathy generally happens in people with lung cancer. Finally, Hemarthrosis is when blood leaks into a joint like the knee. This occurs after injuries or medical procedures and it is a common problem in people with hemophilia. Furthermore, several arthropathies may also affect the spine, ultimately causing low back pain and sciatica.