May also be called: Joint Disease
Arthropathy (ar-THROP-uh-thee) is a term that refers to any disease or abnormal condition that affects the joints.
Just about any disease or condition that affects or damages the joints can be considered an arthropathy. Two of the best known and most common types of arthropathy are arthritis and gout, which typically occur in adults. Many conditions can cause arthropathies, including injuries, infection, autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and crystal formation within a joint.
Some arthropathies, like arthritis, can affect almost any joint in the body. Others, such as gout or Charcot joint, usually affect the feet and ankles. Often, joint diseases are temporary and clear up within a few weeks, but some forms of arthropathy can last for years and may never go away.
Treatment for arthropathy may involve medications or surgery, depending on the type of arthropathy and the condition causing it. In most cases, early recognition and treatment of the condition can minimize damage to the affected joints and allow a person to live a normal life.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
