What is Arthritis?

Did you know there are over 100 different types of arthritis? Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that can take several forms:  

• Osteoarthritis is the most common type.  It is the "wear and tear" and breakdown of the cartilage within the joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that targets the lining of the joints. 
• Gout arthritis is cause by too much uric acid in the blood and can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling of a joint. 
• Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that can affect people with psoriasis. 

Arthritis can also be caused by prior injury, especially breaks in the bones of a joint, or could have developed based on how the joints formed during childhood.  

Symptoms of arthritis can include:

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Decreased motion
• Swelling in the joint
• Difficulty walking, going up and down stairs, squatting, or kneeling