Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis - Medical Animation
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Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis - Medical Animation
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The bones of the skeletal system support the framework of the body and aid in movement. A joint is any point where two or more bones meet. Joints provide the human body with flexibility, precision, and weight-bearing capacity. The three major categories of joints include fibrous, cartilagenous, and synovial. Synovial joints are those affected by arthritis. Most synovial joints are freely movable, including the shoulders, elbows, knees, and knuckles. The two facing bones of synovial joints are linked by ligaments, covered in cartilage, and separated by a space called the joint cavity. The joint capsule filled with synovial fluid, lined with a membrane, seals the joint cavity. Synovial fluid maintains the cartilage by nourishing it and eliminating waste. Synovial fluid also lubricates the joint, allowing it to move freely. Arthritis is a general term for any disease that includes pain and inflammation of a joint. The two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative bone and joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. Weight-bearing activities and repetitive motion activities wear away the cartilage over time. The exposed bony surfaces rub together, causing swelling, pain, and limited movement of the joints. The second most common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, it is characterized as an autoimmune disorder by which the immune system attacks the tissues of a joint. The white blood cells of the immune system, particularly mast cells, infiltrate the tissue and release a variety of proteins, including cytokines, inducing swelling, increased vascularization of the joint, growth of the synovial cells, and production of antibodies. Like osteoarthritis, joints become red, painful and swollen. Unlike osteoarthritis, joints are afflicted symmetrically. Eventually, the articular cartilage in a joint with rheumatoid arthritis degenerates, and the joint begins to ossify. Over time, the joint can fuse and become deformed and immobilized, a condition called ankylosis. Although there is no cure for arthritis, medications directed at decreasing inflammation, can control or slow the progression of the disease. Osteoarthritis treatments include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, exercise, weight control, and surgery in severe cases. Rheumatoid arthritis treatments include NSAIDs, steroids, and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. More recent advances include drugs called biologics, medications that target specific factors, like tumor necrosis factor. In severe cases of joint damage, surgery is sometimes an option for pain relief or improvement of joint mobility. ♪ [music] ♪
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"I wanted to thank you for the terrific job you did illustrating my client's
injuries. The case was settled at the pre-suit mediation, and I believe a
good part of the success we had was due to the medical legal art you
prepared.
Your work received the ultimate compliment at the conclusion of the mediation. The hospital risk manager took the exhibit with them at the
conclusion of mediation, and will be using it to train nurses on how to
prevent bed sores..."
Steven G. Koeppel Troy, Yeslow & Koeppel, P.A. Fort Myers, FL
"This past year, your company prepared three medical illustrations for our cases; two in which we received six figure awards; one in which we received a substantial seven figure award. I believe in large part, the amounts obtained were due to the vivid illustrations of my clients' injuries and the impact on the finder of fact."
Donald W. Marcari
Marcari Russotto & Spencer, P.C.
Chesapeake, VA
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.