Arthritis and osteoarthritis are terms that are often used interchangeably in the general population. However, although both refer to diseases that affect the joints, they present great etiological, therapeutic and prognostic differences.

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In general, osteoarthritis is considered a degenerative process of “wear and tear” of the articular cartilage that causes pain (usually with the use of the joint, improving at rest) and deformity of the same. Although there may be some degree of joint inflammation, it is not characteristic.

On the contrary, arthritis consists of inflammation of the joints and manifests itself with pain, swelling and difficulty of movement. The pain of arthritis is characteristically more intense early in the day (after a period of prolonged inactivity), and does not improve with rest. According to the cause, there are different types of arthritis (Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus/SLE, Gout, systemic sclerosis etc).

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune arthritis, in which antibodies have formed that act mainly against the joints, leading to inflammation.

The cause of the disease is still unknown. It is known that there are alterations in the immune system that activate a series of immune processes causing joint inflammation. Although it is not a hereditary disease, numerous genes involved in these alterations have been identified.

It is considered a multifactorial disease, that is, in a genetically predisposed person, there are a series of circumstances (such as exposure to certain microorganisms or tobacco) that lead to the development of it.

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It affects 1 in 200 people in India, being more common in women than in men. Although it can debut at any age, its onset is more frequent between 40 and 60 years. The risk of suffering from this disease is greater in the relatives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in smokers.

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The most common arthritis symptoms and signs include:

• Joint pain.
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion (how far you can move a joint).
• Swelling (inflammation).
• Skin discoloration.
• Tenderness or sensitivity to touch around a joint.
• A feeling of heat or warmth near your joints.

These symptoms are accompanied by difficulty in initiating the movement, especially in the mornings, which we know as “morning stiffness”. Characteristically, this rigidity is greater than 30 minutes, unlike arthrosis, in which, although there may be a certain degree of rigidity, its duration is shorter.

If the inflammation is maintained over time, it can cause joint deformity and loss of mobility, which can cause disability and decrease in quality of life.

Although it mainly affects the joints, it is a systemic disease, that is, manifestations can appear at other levels: fever, tiredness, anemia, loss of appetite and weight, tingling in the hands and feet, cough, feeling of shortness of breath , dry eyes or mouth, spots on the skin …

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What causes arthritis varies depending on which type you have:

• Osteoarthritis happens naturally as you age — a lifetime of using your joints can eventually wear down their cartilage cushioning.
• You may develop gout if you have too much uric acid in your blood (hyperuricemia).
• Your immune system can cause arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis) when it damages your joints by mistake.
• Certain viral infections (including COVID-19) can trigger viral arthritis.
• Sometimes, arthritis happens with no cause or trigger. Providers call this idiopathic arthritis.

• What are the risk factors?

  Anyone can develop arthritis, but some factors may make you more likely to, including:

• Tobacco use: Smoking and using other tobacco products increases your risk.
• Family history: People whose biological family members have arthritis are more likely to develop it.
• Activity level: You might be more likely to have arthritis if you aren’t physically active regularly.
• Other health conditions: Having autoimmune diseases, obesity or any condition that affects your joints increases the chances you’ll develop arthritis.
• Some people have a higher arthritis risk, including:
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• People older than 50.
• People assigned female at birth (AFAB).
• Athletes, especially those who play contact sports.
• People who have physically demanding jobs or do work that puts a lot of stress on their joints (standing, crouching, being on your hands and knees for a long time, etc.).

  At what age does arthritis usually start?

  Arthritis can develop at any age. When it starts depends on which type you have and what’s causing it.

  In general, osteoarthritis affects adults older than 50. Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops in adults age 30 to 60.

  Other types that have a more direct cause usually start closer to that specific trigger. For example, people with post-traumatic arthritis don’t develop it until after their joints are injured, and gout doesn’t develop until after you’ve had high uric acid levels for at least several months.

  Talk to a healthcare provider about your unique arthritis risk, and when you should start watching for signs or changes in your joints.

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A healthcare provider will diagnose arthritis with a physical exam. They’ll examine your affected joints and ask about your symptoms. Tell your provider when you first noticed symptoms like pain and stiffness, and if any activities or times of day make them worse.

Your provider will probably check your range of motion (how far you can move a joint). They may compare one joint’s range of motion to other, similar joints (your other knee, ankle or fingers, for example).

Arthritis tests:

Your provider might use imaging tests to take pictures of your joints, including:

• X-ray.
• Ultrasound.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• A computed tomography (CT) scan.

These tests can help your provider see damage inside your joints. They can also help your provider rule out other injuries or issues that might cause similar symptoms, like bone fractures (broken bones).

Your provider may use blood tests to check your uric acid levels if they think you have gout. Blood tests can also show signs of infections or autoimmune diseases.

What is arthritis treatment?

There’s no cure for arthritis, but your healthcare provider will help you find treatments that manage your symptoms. Which treatments you’ll need depend on what’s causing the arthritis, which type you have and which joints it affects.

The most common arthritis treatments include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicine like NSAIDs or acetaminophen.
• Corticosteroids (prescription anti-inflammatory medicine, including cortisone shots).
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) if you have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
• Physical therapy or occupational therapy can help you improve your strength, range of motion and confidence while you’re moving.
• Surgery (usually only if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve your symptoms).

Arthritis surgery

You may need surgery if you have severe arthritis and other treatments don’t work. The two most common types of arthritis surgery are joint fusion and joint replacement.

Joint fusion is exactly what it sounds like: surgically joining bones together. It’s most common for bones in your spine (spinal fusion) or your ankle (ankle fusion).

If your joints are damaged or you’ve experienced bone loss, you might need an arthroplasty (joint replacement). Your surgeon will remove your damaged natural joint and replace it with a prosthesis (artificial joint). You might need a partial or total joint replacement.

Your provider or surgeon will tell you which type of surgery you’ll need and what to expect.

Prevention:

How do I prevent arthritis?

Some forms of arthritis happen naturally or because of health conditions you can’t change, so there’s not always a way to prevent it. However, you can lower your chances of developing arthritis by:

• Avoiding tobacco products.
• Following a diet and exercise plan that’s healthy for you.
• Doing low-impact exercise.
• Always wearing proper protective equipment for any activity that could damage your joints.

 

 

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain (especially if it lasts for more than a week).
• Stiffness that’s getting worse, especially if you suddenly can’t move a joint as well as you usually can.
• Worsening or more frequent flare-ups of your usual symptoms.

Which questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Questions you can ask your provider include:

• Which type of arthritis do I have?
• Which treatments will I need?
• Will I need surgery?
• How often will I need follow-up exams?

Additional Common Questions

What is the fastest way to relieve arthritis pain?

Everyone’s body responds differently to different treatments, so there’s no one answer that works for everyone. Your provider will help you find a combination of treatments that relieves your arthritis pain. You might be able to take over-the-counter or prescription medicine as soon as you feel arthritis symptoms flaring up. Some people take arthritis medicine regularly to help prevent pain before it gets bad enough to affect their day-to-day activities.

Staying active is one of the best ways to relieve arthritis symptoms. Don’t force yourself to do anything that causes severe pain, but stretching and moving your body can reduce pain and stiffness and prevent them from getting worse.

You don’t need to become an ultramarathoner or Olympic weightlifter. Walking, swimming, riding a bike and stretching or doing yoga are all great ways to support your joints and strengthen muscles throughout your body.

Talk to your provider or physical therapist about exercises that are good for you. They’ll suggest options that help you safely stay active.

Do certain types of weather make arthritis worse?

Some people find that their arthritis feels worse during certain types of weather. Humidity and cold are two common joint pain triggers.

There are a variety of reasons why this might happen. People tend to be less active in rainy seasons and winter. The cold and damp can also stiffen your joints and aggravate arthritis. Other theories suggest that barometric pressure (the pressure of the air around you), may have some effect on arthritis.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel like certain weather conditions or seasons make arthritis worse. They’ll suggest ways to prevent pain and stiffness throughout the year, or they may modify your arthritis treatments to fit any changes in your environment.