何謂類風濕性關節炎？ 類風濕性關節炎 是一種慢性（長期）疾病，大多數情況下影響關節，例如腕關節、手、腳、脊柱、膝蓋和下頜。類風濕性關節炎造成的炎症可導致關節： 疼痛。 腫脹。 僵直。 喪失功能。 因為是免疫系統攻擊健康的關節組織，類風濕性關節炎是一種自身免疫性疾病。正常情況下，免疫系統幫助保護身體免於發生感染和疾病。 類風濕性關節炎可能讓您感覺異常疲倦，偶爾會發燒，而且食欲下降。類風濕性關節炎還可能造成心、肺、血液、神經、眼睛和皮膚的其他醫療問題。 治療可以幫助患者過上充實的生活。

何謂骨關節炎？ 骨關節炎是一種關節疾病，是指關節內的組織隨著時間的推移而分解。這是最常見的關節炎類型，而且更常見於年長者。 骨關節炎患者通常有關節疼痛，而且在休息之後有短時間的關節僵直（難以移動）。最常累及的關節包括： 手（手指末端和拇指的起點和末端）。 膝蓋。 髖部。 頸部。 腰部。 骨關節炎對每個人的影響都有所不同。對有些人來說，骨關節炎不影響日常活動。而對其他人而言，骨關節炎會造成劇烈疼痛和殘障。

What is ankylosing spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. Over time, this inflammation in the joints and tissues of the spine can cause stiffness. In severe cases, this may cause the bones in the spine to grow together, which can lead to a rigid spine that is difficult to bend. Many people with ankylosing spondylitis have mild episodes of back pain and stiffness that come and go. But others have severe, ongoing back pain and stiffness. Other symptoms also may develop if other areas of the body are affected

What is reactive arthritis? Reactive arthritis happens when an infection causes joint pain and swelling. A bacterial infection in the digestive or urinary tract or the genitals usually triggers the condition, but arthritis symptoms typically do not start until a few weeks after you have recovered from the infection. The most common features of reactive arthritis are inflammation of the joints (especially the knees and ankles), eyes, and urinary tract, but not everyone gets all three, or they might not happen at the same time.

What is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that happens when the tissues in the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older people. People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and, after rest, stiffness (inability to move easily) for a short period of time. The most commonly affected joints include the: Hands (ends of the fingers and at the base and ends of the thumbs). Knees. Hips. Neck. Lower back. Osteoarthritis affects each person differently. For some people, osteoarthritis does not affect day-to-day activities. For others, it causes

What is osteonecrosis? Your bones are made up of living cells that need a blood supply to stay healthy. In osteonecrosis, blood flow to part of a bone is reduced. This causes death of bone tissue, and the bone can eventually break down and the joint will collapse. Osteonecrosis can happen to any bone, but most often it develops in the ends of long bones, such as the: Thigh bone. Upper arm bone. Less often, the bones of the elbows, ankles, feet, wrists, and hands are affected. When the disease involves part of a bone in a joint, it can

What is spinal stenosis? Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in the spine narrow and create pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that comes out of the base of the brain and runs down the center of the spine. The nerve roots branch out from the cord. In spinal stenosis, the narrowing usually occurs over time.

What is pachyonychia congenita? Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a very rare genetic disorder that affects the skin and nails. Most people have thickened nails and calluses on the bottom of the feet. Painful calluses on the soles can make walking difficult. Because of the pain, some people rely on a cane, crutches, or a wheelchair to help with walking.

What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that mostly affects joints, such as the wrist, hands, feet, spine, knees, and jaw. In joints, RA causes inflammation that leads to: Pain. Swelling Stiffness. Loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder because the immune system attacks the healthy joint tissues. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from infection and disease. RA may cause you to feel unusually tired, to have occasional fevers, and to have a loss of appetite. It also may cause other medical problems in the heart, lungs, blood, nerves, eyes