Introduction to Arthritis

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Arthritis is not a single disease. Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Any part of your body can become inflamed or painful from arthritis. Some rheumatic conditions can result in debilitating, even life-threatening complications or may affect other parts of the body including the muscles, bones and internal organs.

 

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age, including children. The incidence of arthritis increases with age, but nearly three out of every five sufferers are under age 65.

 

If left undiagnosed and untreated, many types of arthritis can cause irreversible damage to the joints, bones, organs and skin.

 

Early Arthritis Symptoms

 

Early arthritis symptoms can be vague and confusing, but they are important to recognize. Newly diagnosed arthritis patients quickly realize that early symptoms are just the first layer to be uncovered before a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan can be established.

 

Early symptoms linked to arthritis usually include:

Joint pain
Joint stiffness
Tenderness in and around the joint
Limited range of motion in one or more joints
Redness and warmth around the affected joint

 

Clinical Picture Begins to Formulate

 

Though early symptoms are the first indication of an arthritic condition, there is much more information which needs to be gathered. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic conditions. For a patient to obtain a specific diagnosis (i.e. what type of arthritis do I have?), a doctor must evaluate the patient's:

 

Medical history
Current physical condition
Diagnostic tests
Assessment of disease progression

 

Together, the criteria formulate a clinical picture, which must be routinely re-assessed by your doctor. It is important for you to learn the major differences between the various types of arthritis. An understanding of the primary characteristics associated with each type of arthritis will help you recognize what is and is not important to report to your doctor with regard to your own condition.

 

Know the Symptoms of Major Types of Arthritis

 

A basic knowledge of the major types of arthritis and symptoms also will better prepare you for doctor appointments. You will find it easier to formulate questions and communicate with your doctor once you are confident that you understand basic facts about arthritis symptoms.

 

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis. The joints are primarily affected, but there can be systemic effects (i.e. organs) as well. Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour, involvement of the small bones of the hands and feet, extreme fatigue, rheumatoid nodules and symmetrical joint involvement (i.e. both knees not one knee) are all characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Osteoarthritis

 

Osteoarthritis predominantly affects the joints, unlike other types of arthritis, which may have systemic effects. The most common symptom associated with osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint after repeated use. Joint pain is often worse later in the day. The affected joints can swell, feel warm and become stiff after prolonged inactivity. Osteoarthritis can occur with other forms of arthritis simultaneously. Bone spurs and bony enlargements are characteristic of osteoarthritis.

 

Psoriatic Arthritis

 

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis associated with psoriasis (a skin condition characterized by red, patchy, raised or scaly areas) and chronic joint symptoms. The symptoms of psoriasis and joint inflammation often develop separately. Symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis vary in how they occur (i.e. symmetrical or asymmetrical) and what joints are affected. Any joint in the body can be affected. When psoriasis causes pitting and thickened or discolored fingernails, the joints nearest the fingertips are likely to become arthritic.

 

Ankylosing Spondylitis

 

Ankylosing spondylitis is commonly associated with inflammation, which starts at the lower spine or sacroiliac joints. The earliest symptoms are often chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back region and hips. Typical ankylosing spondylitis pain in the back worsens following rest or inactivity. As symptoms of pain and stiffness progress up the spine to the neck, possibly including the rib cage area, bones may fuse.

 

Lupus

 

Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and other organs of the body. It is very common for symptoms associated with lupus to resemble symptoms associated with other types of arthritis and rheumatic disease, making lupus difficult to diagnose. A butterfly-shaped rash appearing on the cheeks and over the bridge of the nose (malar rash) is just one of the distinguishing characteristics of lupus.

 

Gout

 

Gout is considered one of the most intensely painful types of arthritis. Gout is characterized by sudden onset of severe pain, tenderness, warmth, redness and swelling from inflammation of the affected joint. Gout usually affects a single joint and most often the big toe is affected. The knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist and elbow may also be affected. Shoulders, hips and spine may eventually be affected by gout, but rarely. Often the first gout attack occurs at night.

 

There are other types of arthritis and joint inflammation conditions to consider as well:

 

Fibromyalgia
Sjogren's Syndrome
Scleroderma
Reactive Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Pseudogout
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Polymyositis
Tendinitis

 

As you learn about them, you and your doctor will decide which of your symptoms matches the diagnostic scheme of a particular type of arthritis. The process of identifying a specific type of arthritis is not always quick. Individual symptoms and symptom patterns can make diagnosing arthritis tricky. Being aware of early symptoms is a definite advantage however.