Xrays of Common Arthritis Types

Radiological Evidence of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

Eric A. Brandser, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
Copyright protected material used with permission of the author and the University of Iowa’s Virtual Hospital, www.vh.org

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD or Osteoarthritis)

Classification

  • Primary osteoarthritis – most common in the older age group as the result of wear and tear on articular cartilage over time.
  • Secondary osteoarthritis – results from a previous process that damaged cartilage such as trauma, or inflammatory arthritis.

The most commonly involved joints in primary osteoarthritis are:

  • Distal interphalangeal joints
  • First carpometacarpal joint
  • Weight bearing joints: spine, hips, knees

Imaging of degenerative joint disease

1. Diagnosis by plain films includes identification of:

  • Asymmetric joint space narrowing
  • Osteophytes-bony spurs
  • Degenerative cysts
  • Sclerosis of subchondral bone

2. CT or MRI are also useful on certain occasions
3. OA of the Hip Xray of OA of the Hip
4. OA of the Fingers Xray of OA of the Fingers
5. OA of the Knee Xray of Knee DJD
6. OA of the Spine Xray of OA of the Spine

Inflammatory Arthritis

An inflammatory process with the target organ being the synovial membrane leading to pannus formation (inflammatory exudate in the lining of the synovial cells).

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Imaging in RA

1. Diagnosis usually made by plain film confirmation of:

  • Osteopenia – a demineralization of the bone – is the result of increased blood flow, due to inflammation, which washes out the calcium.
    • Early on in the inflammatory process,only the periarticular portion of the bones are affected.
    • Over time, the inflammatory pain causes disuse of affected joints leading to generalized osteopenia of whole bones.
  • Uniform joint space narrowing – a feature which helps differentiate RA from OA.
  • Marginal erosions at bare areas where synovium lies on bone
  • Subluxation due to ligamentous or capsular laxity
  • RA of the Hands RA of the Hands XrayRA of the Hands Xray
  • RA of the Hips RA of the Hip Xray

2. MRI is technique of choice when cord compression is suspected (C1-C2)
MRI  Cord Compression

Ankylosing Spondylitis

1. Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing Spondylitis Xray

2. Progression of Sacroiliitis in Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing Spondylitis XrayAnkylosing Spondylitis XrayAnkylosing Spondylitis Xray

3. Ankylosing Spondylitis of the Spine Ankylosing Spondylitis of the Spine XrayAnkylosing Spondylitis of the Spine Xray

Crystal Arthritis

1. Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease XrayCalcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease XrayCalcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease Xray

2. Gout Xray of Gout

Neuropathic Arthropathy

Charcot Arthropathy Xray of Charcot Arthropathy icon gif

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Be sure to visit the Glucosamine Product Guide for a review of commercially available glucosamine products.

Liquid Glucsosamine Reviews and Product Guide

We highly recommend liquid formulas but included a solid formula in our comparison for argument?s sake. The following products may have additional ingredients that aren’t listed here. We intentionally chose to focus on the critical nutrients, critical attributes and items to beware of before purchasing.

Fields BOLDED and highlighted in GREEN denotes category winner.

Flexicose Plus Image
FlexicosePlus®


Joint Juice®

Wellesse
Wellesse®

Osteo Bi-Flex
Osteo Bi-FLex®

Suitable For People and Pets
YES!
No
No
Unknown

Critical Nutrients:

Glucosamine

1500 mg

1500 mg

2000 mg

1500 mg

Glucosamine Form

Sulfate and HCL

HCL only

HCL only

HCL only

Chondroitin

400 mg

200 mg

1200 mg

Unclear!

MSM

100 mg

0 mg

500 mg

Unclear!

Vitamin A

1250 IU

0 IU

0 IU

0 IU

Vitamin C

15 mg

20 mg

0 mg

60 mg

Vitamin E (natural)

7.5 IU

0 IU

0 IU

0 IU

Manganese

0.7 mg

0 mg

0 mg

2 mg

Hyaluronic Acid

5 mg

0 mg

0 mg

Yes, unclear

Aloe Vera Gel

Yes

No

No

No

Yucca Root

Yes

No

No

No

Bromelain

Yes

No

No

No

Boswellia Serrata

Yes

No

No

Yes

Proprietary Blends*

1600 mg

0 mg

0 mg

1350 mg

Critical Attributes:

Bioavailability**

Up to 95%

Up to 95%

Up to 95%

Up to 35%

Sweetened with Stevia

Yes

No

No

No

Gluten-free

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Safe for Diabetics?

Yes

No

No

No

Safe for Hypoglycemics?

Yes

No

No

No

Moneyback Guarantee

Yes

No

No

No

Free US Shipping

Yes, no minimum!

Over $25

Over $25

Over $25

Sales/Promotions

Always

Occasionally

Occasionally

Occasionally

Price

$29.95 or under

$29.99

$37.99

$39.99

#Of Servings

32

30

16

60

Cost/day

.94 or under

$1.00

$2.37

.67

Bulk Order Discounts

Yes

No

No

No

Safe for Pets?

Yes

No

No

No

BEWARE!!!

Calories

5

25

30

0

Carbs

1 g

4 g

7 g

0 g

Sugars

0 g

2 g

0 g

0 g

Sugar Alcohol

Absent

Absent

Present

Absent

Artificial Sweeteners

No

No

Yes

No

Sodium

0 mg

30 mg

115 mg

40 mg

 

When researching a liquid glucosamine product, you want to make sure that the following requirements are met:

  1. Made in the USA.
  2. Manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility. This ensures that the product is subjected to strict quality controls and contains all of the ingredients listed on the label in the exact dosages stated.
  3. Product that is naturally sweetened, sugar-free and also contains Chondroitin, MSM, Vitamins A, C, E, and anti-inflammatory ingredients including Aloe Vera Gel, Boswellia, Bromelain and Yucca root.

 

Our Final Recommendation:

FlexicosePlus® Liquid JointCare – For People and Pets

(www.Flexicose.com)

Current Coupon Code Discount: ARTHRITIS-10% OFF