The 5 Types Of Arthritis Explained

Arthritis is a chronic disease that can cause excruciating pain in people who suffer from it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis affects 54 million people in the United States, or 23% of all adults. Around 24 million people with arthritis are limited in their activities, and more than a quarter of arthritis sufferers report that their joint discomfort is severe.

There are over a hundred different varieties of arthritis, each with their unique set of symptoms, and pinpointing everything that causes arthritis is impossible. Arthritis can affect several regions of the body, including the hands, feet, knees, and other joints.

The majority of arthritis symptoms occur at the joint. Swelling and pain, as well as warmth or redness, may be felt in the joints. Joint discomfort might develop in conjunction with weight loss and general weakness in certain people. Other signs and symptoms are frequently linked to the type of arthritis that a person has.

There are five different types of arthritis.

Arthritis is divided into five categories. There are subtypes for each kind, but determining the core diagnosis is the first step. Some kinds of arthritis manifest symptoms very quickly, while others may take years to manifest symptoms.

  1. Osteoarthritis. The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It’s caused by the cartilage covering the ends of your joints breaking down mechanically, leaving no cushion and the bones grinding against each other. Sharp pain and a grinding, snapping, or clicking sound when moving your joints are two of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis. Inflammation might lead to redness and edema later on.
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune illness that affects the joints. Blood tests can indicate a RA marker, validating your doctor’s findings. Joint discomfort and swelling to the point of physical deformity are the most common symptoms of RA. Typically, all of the afflicted joints are on the same side of the body.
  3. Psoriatic arthritis. People with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin illness, are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis (PA). Psoriasis develops scaly, cracking skin areas around the joints, however some patients with PA experience arthritic symptoms first. Pain in the lower back, feet, ankles, toes, and fingers are the most common symptoms of PA.
  4. Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can induce musculoskeletal discomfort all over the body. Fibromyalgia affects between 10% to 20% of patients with RA. Despite the fact that RA is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease, most clinicians do not believe fibromyalgia to be autoimmune. The presence of pain in 18 different regions of the body and the exclusion of other similar illnesses are typically used to diagnose fibromyalgia.
  5. Gout. The formation of uric acid crystals in a joint is the cause of gouty arthritis. The discomfort usually starts in the big toe and subsequently spreads to the foot and ankle joint. It’s possible that it’ll only afflict one lower extremity. Gout generally appears out of nowhere, producing excruciating pain when the toe becomes inflamed.

Arthritis is a painful inflammatory disease of the joints. Symptoms of different forms of arthritis can be similar. It’s critical to have the right diagnosis since it can help you choose the best treatment options. The appropriate treatment can also help a person live a more active life by preventing future issues. A person’s persistent symptoms, such as pain and swelling, can be managed with medications and other treatments.

Many types of arthritis cause pain that comes and goes. Even if the discomfort goes away, a person should seek medical attention. Early treatment of arthritis is critical. Some varieties of arthritis, if left untreated, can worsen over time and result in chronic disability.

Are You Looking for Arthritis Relief the You Can’t Seem to Shake?

Pace Physical Therapy in San Jose, California specializes in non-surgical arthritis pain relief and recovery therapies.  We pride ourselves on offering the best possible physical therapy available and going above and beyond for our patients. Do you ever wake up feeling like you’re stiff or tight in your joints? Do they ache in the morning as you shift, becoming less painful as the day goes on? If so, this may be a symptom of early-stage arthritis. Arthritis is a common illness that many people suffer, but before seeking treatment, they tend to live with it for far too long. Pace Physical Therapy will help you find relief today. You don’t have to struggle with sore joints from arthritis. If you have arthritis, or you think you can have arthritic symptoms, contact Pace Physical Therapy today to request an appointment. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

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