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.
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.
Rheumatoid arthritis (5 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a long-term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.The cause of RA is unknown. Reviewer: Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent?s Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/22/2009
Osteoarthritis (2 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Osteoarthritis(OA) is the most common joint disorder.Hypertrophic osteoarthritis; Osteoarthrosis; Degenerative joint disease; DJD; OA; Arthritis- osteoarthritis.Most of the time, the cause of OA is unknown. It is mainly related to aging, but metab...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 be caused by many types of injuries or conditions. No matter what causes it, joint pain can be very bothersome.Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the joints. 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 swelling and irritation(inflammation) of the joints from a viral infection.Arthritis may be a symptom of many virus-related illnesses. It usually disappears on its own without any lasting effects.Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Human pa...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, Phd, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/17/2008
Psoriatic arthritis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Psoriatic arthritis is an arthritis that is often associated with psoriasis of the skin.Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin condition that causes red patches on the body. About 1 in 20 people with psoriasis will develop arthritis with the skin con...Reviewer: Mark James Borigini, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/31/2009
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(JRA) is a term used to describe a common type of arthritis in children. It is a long-term(chronic) disease resulting in joint pain and swelling.Juvenile chronic polyarthritis; JRA; Still''s disease; Juvenile idiopathic...Reviewer: Mark James Borigini, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/31/2009
Gout (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints.Gouty arthritis- acute; Gout- acute; Hyperuricemia; Tophaceous gout; Tophi; Podagra; Gout- chronic; Chronic gout; Acute gout.Gout is caused by having higher-than-normal...Reviewer: Mark James Borigini, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/17/2009
Fungal arthritis(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Fungal arthritis is infection of a joint by a fungus.Fungal arthritis, also called mycotic arthritis, is a very rare condition. It can be caused by any of the invasive types of fungi. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 11/11/2008
Gonococcal arthritis (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gonococcal arthritis is inflammation of a joint(usually just one) due to a gonorrhea infection.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)
The following organizations provide more information on arthritis: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons -http/orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00208; Arthritis Foundation - www.arthritis.org; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - www.cdc.gov/arthritis. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/20/2008
Tuberculous arthritis(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Tuberculous arthritis is an infection of the joints due to tuberculosis.Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/17/2008
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