Glossary for Arthritis - 5
Hamstrings: The tendons at the back of the knee.
Heberden’s Nodes: Heberden’s nodes are small bony growths on the end joints of the fingers. These nodes are usually a sign of osteoarthritis.
Hemoglobin: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Hemophilia: A hereditary disease that occurs in males and is marked by impaired blood clotting and easy bleeding. If bleeding occurs in a joint, arthritis may develop and the joint may degenerate.
Hydroxychloroquine: An antimalarial drug that is useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Because of the remote possibility of eye damage, patients taking hydroxychloroquine should have an eye examination every six months.
Ibuprofen: The generic name of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in various types of arthritis.
Indomethacin: The generic name of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of arthritis.
Infectious Arthritis: A form of arthritis caused by bacteria. Since antibiotics can kill bacteria, infectious arthritis is potentially curable.
Intervertebral Disc: Pieces of fibro cartilage that separate and cushion the vertebrae.
Iris: The colored part of the eye. Like a camera’s shutter, it controls the amount of light entering the eye. In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis the iris may be affected, possibly impairing vision or causing blindness.
Isometric Exercise: A type of exercise in which the contractions of the muscles are checked by opposing muscles and the muscles are strengthened without bending the joint.
Kyphosis: A term for humpback.
Ligament: A fibrous band of connective tissue that holds two bones together.
Lordosis: A forward curvature of the lower spine.
Lumbago: A general term for a lower backache.
Lumbar: Refers to the lower back.
Lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell involved in the body’s immune response.