Here are some of the questions that are most frequently posed about arthritis. While answers to new questions submitted by subscribers are answered by members of the Arthritis Week Medical Advisory Board, the FAQ data base draws heavily on responses developed by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases -- a unit of the National Institutes of Health. If you have questions that are not answered in our FAQ Archive, feel free to submit them via email to editor@arthritisweek.org.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disease that is the leading cause of diability in the United States. While many people use the word "arthritis" to refer to all rheumatic diseases, the word literally means joint inflammation.

An estimated 43 million people in the United States have arthritis or one of more than 100 other rheumatic conditions. By the year 2020, this number is expected to reach 60 million.

Osteoarthritis, which begins with the breakdown of cartilage in joints resulting in joint pain and stiffness, is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting more than 20 million Americans.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which involves inflammation of the lining of many different joints in your body, affects about 2.1 million Americans.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Different types of arthritis have different symptoms. In general, people who have arthritis feel pain and stiffness in the joints.

Inflammation is involved in many forms of arthritis. The warning signs that inflammation presents are redness, swelling, heat and pain.

Some of the more common symptoms of arthritis are:

• Swelling in one or more joints.
• Stiffness around the joints that lasts for at least 1 hour in the early morning.
• Constant or recurring pain or tenderness in a joint.
• Difficulty using or moving a joint normally.
• Warmth and redness in a joint.

Early diagnosis and treatment help decrease further joint damage and help control symptoms of arthritis and many other rheumatic diseases.

What are the types of arthritis?

Some of the major types of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis primarily affects cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage begins to fray and may entirely wear away. Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness. Disability results most often when the disease affects the spine and the weight-bearing joints (the knees and hips).

Rheumatoid arthritis: This inflammatory disease of the synovium, or lining of the joint, results in pain, stiffness, swelling, joint damage, and loss of function of the joints. Inflammation most often affects joints of the hands and feet and tends to be symmetrical (occurring equally on both sides of the body). This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of the disease.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis in childhood, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function of the joints. The arthritis may be associated with rashes or fevers, and may affect various parts of the body.

Gout. This type of arthritis results from deposits of needle-like crystals of uric acid in the joints. The crystals cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected joint, which is often the big toe.

Infectious arthritis. This is a general term used to describe forms of arthritis that are caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses. In those cases of arthritis caused by bacteria, early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are crucial to get rid of the infection and minimize damage to the joints.

Psoriatic arthritis. This form of arthritis occurs in some patients with psoriasis, a scaling skin disorder. Psoriatic arthritis often affects the joints at the ends of the fingers and toes and is accompanied by changes in the fingernails and toenails. Back pain may occur if the spine is involved.

What causes arthritis?

No one knows what causes arthritis, though scientists are have identified some risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

For example, in osteoarthritis, inherited cartilage weakness or excessive stress on the joint from repeated injury may play a role.

In rheumatoid arthritis, a combination of genetic factors that determine susceptibility and environmental triggers are believed to be important. Gender may also be a factor, since rheumatoid arthritis is more common among women. This suggests that hormones or other male-female differences may play a role in its development.

Can arthritis be prevented?

Everyone could benefit from taking care of their joints -- particularly before they reach the vulnerable age of 45.

Achieving a healthy weight lowers a person’s risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees. It can also slow progression of the disease in people who already have it and delay costly knee replacement surgery.

Is there a cure for arthritis?

At this time, the only type of arthritis that can be cured is that caused by infections. Although symptoms of other types of arthritis can be effectively managed with rest, exercise, and medication, there are no cures.

All information provided in this site is offered for educational purposes only, and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.