What Is Arthritis? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment Of Arthritis

We all have experienced days where we feel stiffness and pain in our joints, especially early in the morning. Also, do not forget the occasional popping and clicking sound from our knees while we bend. While there is nothing to worry about if it happens occasionally, it is best advised not to ignore persistent joint stiffness and pain. 

If you experience unexplained joint pain, stiffness, or redness, chances are you might have arthritis. Your healthcare provider will help you understand your symptoms, diagnose the type of arthritis you have, and provide appropriate treatment measures. 

In this article, we will learn in detail about arthritis, its types, symptoms to be aware of, causes and risk factors, as well as the treatment and management approaches. So, please keep reading. 
 

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a commonly occurring autoimmune condition affecting the joints. Autoimmune arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s tissues by mistake. While the word arthritis means joint inflammation, it can also affect the ligaments and tendons around the affected joint. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. However, the most commonly affected joints are:

• Knees
• Hands
• Wrists
• Hips
• Shoulder
• Feet
• Ankles
• Lower back
   

What are the types of Arthritis?

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Among the various types, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Other forms include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Gout
• Juvenile arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Metabolic arthritis
• Septic arthritis
   

What are the symptoms of Arthritis?

The symptoms of arthritis you experience depend on the type of arthritis and the joint it affects. In some cases, the symptoms may come and go like flare-ups. In some cases, you can feel severe joint pain and stiffness. Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis include the following:

• Joint stiffness
• Joint pain
• Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
• Tenderness
• A warm feeling near the joints
• Inflammation and swelling
• Redness
• Skin discoloration
   

These may range from mild to severe. Individuals experiencing severe symptoms may find it challenging to perform daily tasks. In cases where the weight-bearing joints are affected, the patient may find it difficult to walk, sit, and stand. Some individuals may also notice worsening of their arthritis symptoms in certain weather conditions, like cold and humidity. 

Some of the daily tasks that people with arthritis reported as “very difficult” include:

• Bending, stooping, or kneeling
• Pulling or pushing a heavy object
• Reaching above one’s hand
• Climbing stairs at a stretch without resting
• Grasping small objects
• Lifting or carrying as much as 5kgs
• Sitting or standing for around 2 hours
   

What are the causes of Arthritis?

There is no single cause of arthritis. The causes of arthritis may vary depending on the type of arthritis. Some of the possible reasons for developing arthritis include:

• An injury that can cause degenerative arthritis
• Wear and tear in joints or cartilage due to age can cause osteoarthritis.
• Viral infections that may lead to viral arthritis
• Having excessive amounts of uric acid in the blood that can cause Gout
• Immune system dysfunction that can cause autoimmune arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis

What are the risk factors of Arthritis?

The various risk factors that may increase your risk of developing arthritis include the following:

• A family history of arthritis
• Old age
• A past joint injury
• Smoking
• Using tobacco products
• Having obesity
• A sedentary lifestyle
• People assigned female at birth (AFAB)
   

How is Arthritis diagnosed?

To diagnose arthritis, your healthcare provider will first conduct a physical examination. They’ll examine the joints affected and ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing. They’ll also ask you about the symptoms you noticed first and any time of the day or activity that might later turn into complications. Your healthcare provider may also check the range of motion of your joint. 

Upon suspecting arthritis after an initial examination, your healthcare provider will order further tests to diagnose your condition and suggest the right treatment approaches. 

Some of the diagnostic tests for arthritis include the following:

1. Blood test 

Blood tests are performed to check the uric acid level and for the presence of specific antibodies like rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), and an antinuclear antibody (ANA).

2. Imaging tests 

Imaging tests are performed to get a clear image of the bones and cartilage. This helps the healthcare provider look for the extent of damage to the joints. These imaging tests also help rule out the possibility of other problems that may cause similar symptoms like bone spurs or fractures. The imaging tests for diagnosing arthritis include:

• X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Ultrasound
   

What is Arthritis treatment?

There is no speicific cure. However, with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, you can effectively manage the impact of arthritis. The treatment given for arthritis will vary depending on several factors, such as your age, the type of arthritis you have, the symptoms you are experiencing and their severity, the joints affected, the cause of arthritis, and your overall health. 
 

Some of the commonly prescribed arthritis treatments include the following:

1. Medications

The various medications prescribed for arthritis include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and salicylates. These NSAIDs work by reducing pain and inflammation.
• Analgesics, such as acetaminophen, help reduce pain and manage it. They, however do not reduce inflammation.
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, work by reducing inflammation, providing pain relief, and slowing down joint damage. Steroids are to be used with proper caution. They are given as an injection into the joints or as pills.
• Immunosuppressants, are prescribed in case of moderate to severe inflammation in case of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Menthol/capsaicin creams, these creams are applied over the skin areas above the affected joints. These creams provide temporary relief from pain. 
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), these medications are used to treat rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. DMARDs work by reducing pain, inflammation, and tissue damage and slowing down the progression of the condition.
   

2. Physical therapy for Arthritis 

Physical therapy is often recommended for arthritis patients to help them improve their strength, range of motion, and mobility and perform everyday tasks better. Exercises for arthritis include customised plans that are used in combination with other treatments to improve the patient’s symptoms. 
 

3. Surgery

In case constructive measures fail to help the patient, the symptoms become severe and impair everyday life; your healthcare provider may suggest surgery. Commonly performed surgery in patients with arthritis include:

• Joint replacement: This procedure involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. Joint replacement surgery is mostly performed to replace damaged knees and joints. 
• Joint repair: This surgery involves smoothening or realigning the joint surfaces. This surgery is usually performed via a small incision over the joint (arthroscopically). It helps reduce symptoms of pain and enhances the joint function.
• Joint fusion: In cases where arthritis affects smaller joints in the fingers, wrist, or ankle, joint fusion is done. In this surgery, the ends of the two joint bones are removed, and then the ends are fused together till they heal and become a single unit.
   

What are the lifestyle changes for Arthritis?

Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. These lifestyle changes include:

• A healthy diet
• Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking and tobacco produce
• Exercising regularly
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common Arthritis FAQs you must know of: 

1. What foods affect Arthritis?

Certain foods may increase inflammation and make arthritis symptoms worse. Foods that affect arthritis and must be avoided include:

• Refined sugars, such as ice creams, soda, and candy
• Processed foods
• Refined carbohydrates
• Fried foods
• Trans fats
• Gluten

2. Can Arthritis spread?

No, arthritis usually does not spread like an infection. However, inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may process and affect other joints. In rare instances of infectious arthritis, it may spread if the infection moves across the body. In the case of Gout, if the uric acid levels in the body remain high, then it may start affecting other joints. 
 

3. Is Arthritis serious?

Arthritis, when diagnosed and treated on time, can be managed well. However, in the case of severe arthritis, patients may find it difficult to perform daily tasks and, in some cases, even require surgical intervention. 
 

Parting Words

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints with no cure. If you have arthritis, then you can manage it with prescribed treatments by a doctor and healthy lifestyle changes. Including an anti-inflammatory diet and avoiding foods that cause inflammation can help manage the symptoms better. Individuals with arthritis can also live a long and healthy life if they follow the guidance provided by their healthcare provider. If you experience severe pain, then it is important to talk to your healthcare provider. Timely intervention can help prevent the risk of arthritis complications like inflammation in other areas of the body, risk of falls, reduced mobility, and more.