There are more than 200 types of arthritis. Common arthritis symptoms of inflammation, pain, and stiffness are usually caused by degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK.
Other types of arthritis include;
- Osteoarthritis: This wear and tear form of arthritis is the most common type. Cartilage gets worn down over the years causing friction and problems.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system defence wrongly attacks the joints, causing pain and inflammation.
- Gout: This is caused by uric acid forming into crystals in the joint causing pain and swelling.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This affects children under 16 and the cause is not known.
- Septic (infectious) arthritis: This is caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the joints, usually triggered by another disease or injury.
- Psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis affects people with the skin condition psoriasis.
Causes
Different types of arthritis have different risk factors, which include:
- Getting older
- Gender
- Being obese or overweight and putting a joint under strain
- Jobs or sports putting extra strain on joints
- Immune system problems
- Other health conditions.
Signs & Symptoms
This form of athritis results in inflammation of the tendons, synovial sheaths and bursae (sacks of fluid which allow smooth movement of muscles/tendons over bone). Flare-ups usually occur, where the symptoms are exacerbated for a period of time. During a flare-up, joints will become stiff, swollen, red and painful. The small joints of your fingers, hands, wrists, feet and ankles are most commonly affected.
