Common types of arthritis

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, which affect about 19 percent of adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic joint pain and a leading cause of disability, especially for people ages 50 and older. It’s also been linked to other serious health issues, like heart disease and obesity. Without treatment, arthritis can significantly disrupt your well-being and daily life.

If you're dealing with joint pain that just won't go away, here are a few clues that can help you understand what might be going on—and what to do about it.

Common types of arthritis

Understanding different, common types of arthritis can help you get the treatment you need to feel better.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most common form of arthritis, OA occurs when cartilage and bone begin to break down in a joint. Its hallmark symptom is stiff joints, most often in the hips, knees, and hands. Starting in middle age, stiffness and pain are typically worse in the mornings. It can progress throughout the years and become more severe.

There's no cure for OA, but treatment can help manage pain. Treatments often includes medication to ease discomfort, physical therapy, and taking steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your immune system attacks the lining of your joints by mistake. Common symptoms include pain, fatigue, and warm, swollen, reddish joints, especially in the hands and feet. Symptom flare-ups can last anywhere from a few days to a few months.

Without treatment, RA leads to joint damage and deformity, affecting everyday movement and function. Pain will become severe. Early treatment with medications, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy can ease pain and help prevent further joint damage.

Gout

While gout is best known for causing pain in the big toe, this inflammatory form of arthritis can also affect ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers. Attacks of gout are caused by high uric acid in the blood. They can be sudden and severe, sometimes waking you up at night, with throbbing pain and swelling that lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Prescription or over-the-counter medication, cold packs, and rest can help bring down pain and swelling. Making certain changes to your diet and lifestyle could help reduce the number of gout attacks. These steps may include drinking more water, consuming less alcohol, and eating less meat and shellfish.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

Like RA, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It often accompanies psoriasis, a condition marked by scaly, irritated, and discolored patches of skin.

PsA commonly causes swelling in fingers, wrists, toes, ankles, and knees, though other joints may be affected. Stiffness is usually worse in the morning. Cracked or pitted nails or red eyes may also occur.

As with RA, medications can help manage pain and inflammation, and slow disease progression. Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can also help manage PsA and reduce joint damage.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Chronic lower back and hip pain are telltale signs of a type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. Pain may also affect other areas like the ribs, shoulders, knees, or feet. Flares can be mild or severe, with periods of remission in between.

Ankylosing spondylitis often begins in early adulthood and may gradually lead to the fusion of bones in the spine, reducing flexibility. While there is no cure, again, physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and maintain mobility.

Help is always an option

Sometimes, injury, overuse, or strains can mimic signs of arthritis. Joint inflammation can also stem from numerous diseases and conditions aside from arthritis.

"There can be shades of gray in diagnosing each disease," says Natalie Azar, MD, a rheumatologist at the NYU Langone Orthopedic Center in New York City. "Different diseases have different pain, but they can overlap. That's why it's important to see a doctor for a thorough health history, physical exam, and labs to get a true diagnosis."

When joint pain lasts for three days or more, or if you have joint pain that comes back a few times per month, see a healthcare provider for an exam. But sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.

"Patients generally know when it's time to see a doctor," says Dr. Azar. "If pain's affecting your daily life, you're not able to work or function, or you have persistent pain or swelling in any way, it's time to see someone. If you don't go, you'll likely ruin that joint."