Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and can lead to reduced flexibility, swelling, pain, and eventually limited use of the joint. It most commonly affects people over 40 years old, and it’s more common in women than men. There are many different types of arthritis affecting various parts of the body, and even though they are all connected to the joints, they can have other causes and symptoms. If you have any signs related to arthritis, you need to see an East Village arthritis specialist to help you manage the pain it may cause. In this article, we look at the different types of arthritis.
Degenerative Arthritis
Degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is the most common type of arthritis and affects over 80% of people over 40. It results in progressive damage to the cartilage within the joints, resulting in severe pain, swelling, limited use of the joint, and eventually deformity if left untreated. This type of arthritis is typically caused by aging but may be exacerbated by obesity, injury to the joint, or overuse.
It may cause symptoms such as pain in the joints when they’re at rest, stiffness in the morning when waking up, and may be relieved with movement, limited range of motion in the joint, or back pain. Some people may also experience unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, and nausea.
Infectious Arthritis
Infectious arthritis is caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in the joints and results in swollen, painful, warm joints. It may also cause fatigue, a loss of appetite, and a high temperature. The symptoms often develop quickly over one to two days and can be transferred from other body areas such as the throat and kidneys. The individual may also experience a rash and headaches.
Inflammatory Arthritis
There are two types of inflammatory arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. These forms of the condition result in pain and swelling in the joints, which can worsen over time if left untreated. Symptoms may include fatigue, a low-grade fever, aching muscles, and stiffness in the joints. In some cases, people may also experience minor symptoms such as bleeding in the joints, eye inflammation, and skin rashes.
Metabolic Arthritis
People with a metabolic disease that causes low phosphate levels in the body may experience inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The most common cause of this is hypoparathyroidism which affects one or both parathyroid glands that help regulate vital body functions, including controlling calcium levels.
This condition is typically diagnosed in younger people, and the symptoms can be similar to rheumatoid arthritis, including stiffness and pain after exercise, which may also be increased by heat. Diagnosis involves a blood test to measure phosphate levels in the body and other tests that check gland functions.
Tumor Related Arthritis
Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects bone and can cause inflammation, swelling, pain, and limited joint movement. In most cases, treatment involves surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to reduce the risk of cancer spreading. If you have this type of arthritis, you may experience pain in the joints, especially around the knee.
In summary, there are many different types of arthritis, and sometimes it can be challenging to diagnose the type you have. Some of the most common forms of the disease include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. If you experience joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, you should see an arthritis specialist to discuss the condition and how it may be treated.
