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Arthritis

Definition

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. There are over 100 different types of arthritis.

See also: Joint pain

Alternative Names

Joint inflammation

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared.

With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:

  • Being overweight
  • Previously injuring the affected joint
  • Using the affected joint in a repetitive action that puts stress on the joint (baseball players, ballet dancers, and construction workers are all at risk)

Arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people.

Other types or cause of arthritis include:

Symptoms

If you have arthritis, you may experience:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint swelling
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning
  • Warmth around a joint
  • Redness of the skin around a joint
  • Reduced ability to move the joint

Signs and tests

First, your doctor will take a detailed medical history to see if arthritis or another musculoskeleta

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More Articles

Rheumatoid arthritis (5 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs. Reviewer: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/27/2007

Osteoarthritis (2 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder. Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/05/2008

Joint pain (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Joint pain can affect one or more joints. See also: Arthritis (inflammation of joints; Bursitis; Muscle pain. Reviewer: Neil J. Gonter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/24/2008

Viral arthritis (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Viral arthritis is inflammation of the joints that results from a viral infection. Reviewer: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/27/2007

Psoriatic arthritis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Psoriatic arthritis is an arthritis that is often associated with psoriasis of the skin. Reviewer: Neil J. Gonter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/24/2008

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a general term for the most common types of arthritis in children. It is a long-term (chronic) disease resulting in joint pain and inflammation, which may lead to joint damage. Reviewer: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/27/2007

Gout - chronic (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gout is a disease involving uric acid deposits in the joints. The disorder causes pain, especially in the joints of the feet and legs. Chronic gout involves repeated episodes of joint pain. See also: Gout - acute Reviewer: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/18/2007

Acute gouty arthritis (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acute gouty arthritis is a sudden attack of pain in the joints, especially in the feet and legs, that occur when uric acid builds up in the joints. See also: Chronic gouty arthritis Reviewer: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/26/2007

Fungal arthritis (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Fungal arthritis is an inflammation of a joint caused by infection by a fungus. Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/27/2006

Gonococcal arthritis (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gonococcal arthritis is inflammation of a joint (usually just one) due to a gonorrhea infection. See also: Non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 12/03/2007

Arthritis - resources (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy.Date: 10/13/2006

Tuberculous arthritis (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Tuberculous arthritis is an infection of the joints due to tuberculosis. See also: Spondylitis Reviewer: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/15/2006

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