Arthritis Glossary – D, E, F, G, & H

Degenerative joint disease

The most common type of arthritis. It is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body. It most commonly occurs in the fingers, hips, knees, and spine. Degenerative joint disease also is called osteoarthritis.

Degenerative scoliosis — A type of scoliosis that may result from traumatic (from an injury or illness) bone collapse, previous major back surgery, or osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a condition causing a lateral (toward the side) curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine.

De Quervain's disease

A painful inflammation (swelling) of tendons in the thumb, resulting in pain at the base of the thumb

Discoid lupus

A particular type of lupus that affects only the skin, causing large red, circular rashes that may scar. Skin rashes in lupus are usually aggravated by sunlight.

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Prescription medications that have been shown to slow the progress of psoriatic arthritis. DMARDs include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and Plaquenil.

Distal interphalangeal (DIP) predominant psoriatic arthritis

A type of psoriatic arthritis that involves primarily the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people who have the skin condition psoriasis.

Electromyogram (EMG)

A test that measures the electrical activity in nerves and muscles. It measures the ability of specific nerves to transmit electrical impulses or messages and is performed to document the extent of nerve damage.

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay)

A type of blood test used to detect and measure antibodies. An example of this is a test used to help diagnose Lyme disease. This test measures the levels of antibodies against the Lyme disease bacteria.

Endorphins

Morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during times of pain or stress

Eosinophils

White blood cells that play a role in allergic reactions and resistance to parasitic infections

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed. rate or ESR)

A test that can indicate the degree of inflammation in the body. It actually is a measurement of the speed with which red blood cells fall in a test tube of blood. In the measure of certain proteins produced in response to inflammation, red cells form "stacks" or "rouleaux" (small rolls) and settle out at a more rapid rate than normal.

Fibromyalgia

A condition characterized by aching and burning pain in muscles, tendons, and joints all over the body, but especially along the spine. In fibromyalgia, the body also is tender to touch in specific areas—called tender or trigger points.

Finkelstein test

A test frequently used to diagnose de Quervain's disease. During the Finkelstein test, the doctor will ask you to make a fist with your thumb placed in your palm. When the wrist is suddenly bent toward the outside, the swollen tendons are pulled. If this movement is painful, you may have de Quervain's disease.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA)

A disorder that causes inflammation that damages large and medium-sized arteries. Because some of the affected arteries provide blood to the head, including the temples, the condition may also be called temporal arteritis.

Glucosamine

A nutritional supplement that may help rebuild cartilage and relieve pain in some people with osteoarthritis

Golfer’s elbow

A condition caused by overuse of arm and forearm muscles that results in elbow pain. Golfer’s elbow specifically involves the area where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach on the inside of the elbow. It also is called medial epicondylitis.

Gout

A form of arthritis that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling (inflammation) in some joints. The large toe is most often affected, but gout also can affect other joints in the leg (knee, ankle, and foot) and, less often, joints in the arm (hand, wrist, and elbow).

Granulomatosis

An extremely rare disease that results from inflammation of the blood vessels and causes injury to many organ systems. The areas most commonly involved are the nose, sinuses, lungs, heart, intestinal tract, and nerves. Granulomatosis also is known as Churg Strauss vasculitis (CSV), Churg Strauss syndrome, and allergic angiitis.

HLA-B27

A gene that has been linked to ankylosing spondylitis. People carrying this gene are more likely to develop spondylitis. When HLA-B27 is present on blood cells, it indicates susceptibility to a group of diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

Hydrotherapy

A program of exercises performed in a large pool. Hydrotherapy may be easier on painful joints because the water takes some of the weight off the painful areas while providing resistance training. Hydrotherapy also is called aquatherapy or water therapy.

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)

A medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and mild lupus-related problems, such as skin and joint disease. Plaquenil is an antibiotic originally used to treat malaria and is the most commonly used antimalarial in arthritis treatment.

Hyalgan

A medication, given as a series of 3 to 5 weekly injections into affected joints, that can relieve pain in some people with osteoarthritis.