Arthritis impacts millions of Americans, especially older adults. Often leading to joint pain and stiffness, arthritis can make everyday activities challenging. While many might dismiss joint discomfort as a normal part of aging, ignoring it can lead to more limited activity, increased risk of falls, and even fractures.
At Belmont Village, we understand the importance of comprehensive health and wellness education for seniors, families, and caregivers. This guide provides valuable information on the types of arthritis, their symptoms, and available treatment options.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that many know by its hallmark symptoms: swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. It typically worsens over time, although timely treatment can slow down its progression.
There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Some result from wear and tear on joints over time, while others are triggered by autoimmune conditions. Even certain viruses, such as COVID-19, can contribute to what is known as viral arthritis.
Common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Pain in the joints
- Stiffness, especially after rest or in the morning
- Swelling
- Redness
- Decreased range of motion
- A crunching sound
- Warmth to the touch in affected joints
What are the Different Types of Arthritis?
Understanding different types of arthritis is crucial for effective management and maintaining an active, fulfilling life.
Some of the most common types of arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, especially among older adults, and a leading cause of physical disability. It is often due to wear and tear that occurs when the protective cartilage and fluid cushioning the ends of bones in your joints gradually break down. This degradation can eventually lead to bones rubbing directly against one another, causing severe pain.
Symptoms of OA include deep, aching pain and short-term morning stiffness. Joints may be swollen, tender, and have a decreased range of motion, sometimes accompanied by a grinding or scraping noise. Depending on the affected joint, individuals may find it difficult to complete daily activities such as dressing, walking, or bending.
OA often impacts joints like the knees, hips, and feet, as well as the hands, lower back, and neck.
Risk factors for OA include older age, sex (female), excess weight or obesity, previous joint injury or repetitive use, and a family history of the condition. A lack of exercise can also increase the likelihood of developing OA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results from the immune system attacking the body, specifically the joints. This attack leads to inflammation, which, if left untreated, can cause severe joint damage.
Symptoms of RA typically include pain, stiffness, and swelling in multiple joints, frequently affecting the small joints in the wrists, hands, or feet. A distinguishing feature is a symmetrical pattern, meaning if the knuckles on your left hand are inflamed, the knuckles on your right hand will likely be as well. Morning stiffness can last for hours or even most of the day, and individuals may also experience fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss. About one in five people with RA develop rheumatoid nodules, which are lumps on the skin, often over pressure points like knuckles or elbows.
Risk factors for RA include age and sex (female). Family history can also play a role.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is what is known as an autoimmune inflammatory disease. It affects not just the joints (arthritis), but also the skin (psoriasis). Psoriasis itself is characterized by patchy, raised areas of red and white inflamed skin covered with scales, commonly appearing on the elbows, knees, scalp, navel, or around genital areas.
Symptoms of PsA can include swollen fingers and toes (dactylitis) and fingernails that are pitted or discolored. The condition can affect a single joint, a few joints, multiple joints, or even the spine. It can also cause inflammation where tendons or ligaments attach to bones (enthesitis), commonly in the heel, bottom of the foot, and lower back.
PsA comes in five types:
- Distal interphalangeal predominant (affecting fingers and toes)
- Spondylitis (spinal joints)
- Symmetric polyarthritis (same joints on both sides of the body)
- Asymmetric oligoarticular (different joints on each side)
- Arthritis mutilans (severe damage to hand and foot joints)
PsA typically develops in adulthood, affecting people equally, regardless of sex. The skin condition (psoriasis) usually appears before joint symptoms.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)/Bechterew’s Disease
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), also known as Bechtere’s disease, is a type of inflammatory arthritis. It typically causes pain in the back and reduced range of motion of the spine. It primarily affects the spine, with stiffness and inflammation attacking joints between vertebrae.
Symptoms of AS include back pain (particularly in the lower back), fatigue, and a hunched posture.
Risk factors for AS include uncontrollable factors like genetics and family history, age, gender (male), and ethnicity, along with controllable factors like smoking.
Gout
Gout is an inflammatory type of arthritis. Uric acid buildup in a joint, most often in the big toe, causes gout. Attacks often begin suddenly, frequently after a night of drinking, but can also be triggered by drugs, stress, or other illnesses.
Symptoms of gout are usually sudden and severe. The affected joint will be red, swollen, tender, and stiff. Even after the sharp pain subsides, discomfort may persist. Gout attacks can last from 3 to 10 days, and if left untreated, they may become more frequent and prolonged over time, potentially impacting joints and kidneys.
Risk factors for gout involve high levels of uric acid, which can occur if the body produces too much uric acid, the kidneys cannot process enough uric acid, or someone eats too many purine-rich foods.
Related Conditions
Lupus
It’s important to note that while systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is not a form of arthritis itself, it is an autoimmune disease that can lead to arthritis as a symptom.
Lupus can cause joint pain and inflammation, along with other symptoms like fatigue, swelling, rashes, headaches, mouth sores, sun sensitivity, and hair loss.
Women, particularly between ages 15 and 44, are more likely to develop lupus, with African American women being affected more often than White women.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a pain disorder resulting from a dysfunctional central nervous system. While not an arthritis in the traditional sense, it shares characteristics of chronic pain conditions often associated with joint health.
What Causes Arthritis?
There is no single cause for arthritis. It is a combination of controllable and uncontrollable risk factors, including:
- Aging. The risk for many types of arthritis increases with age.
- Sex. Sex can make someone more prone to specific types of arthritis. Women, for example, more commonly develop OA, and men more commonly develop gout.
- Weight. Excess weight or obesity puts extra stress on weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, feet), significantly increasing the risk of OA. It’s also a risk factor for diabetes, which can cause neuropathy.
- Joint injury. A history of joint injury or repetitive use of a particular joint can lead to OA. Older adults with joint injuries may develop OA faster than younger adults.
- Genetics and family history. Genetic make-up or family history can increase the likelihood of developing certain types of arthritis, including OA, RA, and gout.
- Sedentary lifestyle. A lack of exercise is also a contributing factor to OA and other forms of arthritis.
Other specific causes include a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joint for gout, and the immune system attacking joints for rheumatoid arthritis. Systemic autoimmune diseases like lupus can also cause joint pain and inflammation.
Are Older Adults at Greater Risk of Arthritis?
At a biological level, aging contributes to arthritis risk through mechanisms like:
- Cartilage degradation
- Oxidative stress
- Tissue degeneration
What Arthritis Treatments are Available?
You don’t have to live with pain; discussing treatment options like the following with a healthcare professional can lead to a more effective management plan.
NSAIDs/Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
For managing pain and inflammation, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Physical Therapy
Physical activity is a core part of arthritis management. A safe and well-rounded exercise program can reduce joint pain and stiffness, increase flexibility, and build muscle strength and endurance.
Doctors commonly recommend low-impact activities like walking, cycling, swimming, tai chi, and stretching.
It’s important to always consult your doctor before starting any new program.
Healthy Diet
Enjoying a nutritious diet is vital to controlling arthritis pain. Excess weight adds stress to joints like the hips, knees, and feet, exacerbating OA pain, for example.
A balanced diet, especially one low in fat and focused on fruits and vegetables, can help combat inflammation and support joint health. At Belmont Village communities, for instance, we pride ourselves on offering a wide array of heart and joint-healthy options that include fresh vegetables and grains.
Exercise
Low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming can benefit people living with arthritis, as they are less likely to overstress the joints. Belmont Village incorporates physical activity into our programming, to support both physical health and emotional well-being.
DMARDs/Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
For inflammatory types of arthritis, medications specifically designed to target the immune system may help. These disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics work to ease pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent permanent joint damage.
Joint Replacement Surgery
If other treatments prove insufficient and joint damage is extensive or debilitating, surgery may be an option. Specific surgeries include osteotomy, which removes a small piece of bone to relieve pressure, and joint-replacement surgery, where plastic, metal, or ceramic components replace damaged parts of the joint.
Arthritis FAQs
What is the most serious type of arthritis?
All forms of arthritis can result in life-changing pain that limits daily activities. That said, many consider RA to be particularly serious since it is an autoimmune disease.
In RA, the body’s immune system attacks joint tissues, causing inflammation and severe joint damage if left untreated. This systemic battle can extend beyond the joints, affecting other areas of the body—even internal organs and eyes.
What is the life expectancy with rheumatoid arthritis?
Depending on the severity of the disease and intervention methods, RA may reduce life expectancy by up to 10 years.
How do you know if you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
The only way to know with certainty if you have osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to undergo testing and receive an official diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider. They will likely ask about family history, genetics, and lifestyle habits, as well as symptoms, which can vary between the two conditions.
OA symptoms include intermittent pain and swelling, and short-term stiffness in the morning. Movement can be painful, sometimes accompanied by a grating sound as roughened cartilage rubs together. Difficulty with daily activities like dressing or bending is common.
RA symptoms are often more severe and include pain, stiffness, and swelling that commonly affect multiple joints, often in a symmetrical pattern (e.g., both hands or both knees). Morning stiffness in RA can last for hours or even most of the day. Other symptoms may include fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss, and sometimes lumps (rheumatoid nodules) forming on the skin.
How do you treat arthritis in the toes?
Arthritis can affect the toes and feet, with gout frequently impacting the big toe. Treatment strategies for arthritis in the toes generally align with broader arthritis management approaches, and include:
- Physical activity
- Weight management
- Medications
- Surgery
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?
RA treatment aims to manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, prevent severe joint damage, and maintain functionality.
Key approaches include:
- Medications
- Lifestyle changes
- Physical therapy
What is osteoarthritis?
OA is the most common form of arthritis, caused by the wearing away of cartilage.
How do healthcare providers diagnose arthritis?
Healthcare providers typically use a multi-faceted approach to diagnose arthritis, which includes:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Imaging tests like X-rays
- Laboratory tests, such as blood tests
What is the fastest way to relieve arthritis pain?
There is no single fastest way to relieve arthritis pain, as the effectiveness of treatments can vary from person to person. However, common methods many people living with arthritis use for rapid symptom relief include:
- Heat treatments
- Cold treatments
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- Prescription drugs
Can diet help manage different types of arthritis?
Yes, diet can significantly help manage different types of arthritis and associated health conditions.
What are the symptoms of different types of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Intermittent pain and swelling in the joint
- Stiffness, often in the morning, typically lasting less than 30 minutes
- Deep, aching pain and difficulty with daily tasks like dressing or bending
- Joints feel warm, swollen, and stiff
- A grating sound (crepitus) occurs when the roughened cartilage surfaces rub together
- In the hands, small, bony knobs can appear on the finger joints
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Pain, stiffness, and swelling in multiple joints, often affecting small joints (wrists, hands, feet) in a symmetrical pattern
- Morning stiffness that can last for hours or most of the day
- Fatigue, decreased appetite, and unintentional weight loss
- Rheumatoid nodules, which are lumps on the skin over pressure points
- Symptoms are often more severe than OA
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
- Inflammation of the skin (psoriasis), causing patchy, raised areas of red and white scaly skin, commonly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and other areas
- Swollen fingers and toes
- Pitted or discolored fingernails
- It can affect one joint, a few joints, the spine, or just fingers and toes
Gout
- Sudden, sharp, intense joint pain, most commonly in the big toe, but also in ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, or fingers
- The affected joint will be red, swollen, tender, and difficult to move
- Discomfort may linger even after the sharp pain subsides
- Attacks can last about 3–10 days
Final Thoughts
Arthritis is a widespread condition that causes joint pain and stiffness. The most common type, osteoarthritis (OA), results from the breakdown of joint cartilage, often due to wear-and-tear, age, injury, or excess weight. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joint linings. Other types include gout and psoriatic arthritis.
Ignoring arthritis pain can severely limit activity while increasing the odds of falls and fractures. The standard of care involves consulting a physician for guidance, medication, and potentially surgery. Lifestyle changes are crucial, including regular low-impact exercise, and staying a healthy weight to reduce joint stress.
Belmont Village Senior Living supports residents with arthritis through a comprehensive health and wellness model, including on-site therapy and fitness services. Our Whole Brain Fitness programming, for example, incorporates physical activity for maintaining healthy muscles and joints. We also adapt dining experiences with features like easy-to-grip silverware and chairs with arms to support residents with mobility challenges, including those with arthritis.
Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only.