What is Arthritis? What are the symptoms of Arthritis?
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Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK, affecting an estimated 8.5 million people.
In people affected by osteoarthritis, the cartilage (connective tissue) between their bones gradually wastes away (degenerates), leading to painful rubbing of bone on bone in the joints. The most frequently affected joints are in the:
hands
spine
knees
hips
Osteoarthritis often develops in people who are over 50 years of age. However, it can develop at any age as a result of an injury or another joint-related condition.
The cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. One theory is that some people are genetically predisposed to developing osteoarthritis, which means that they have an increased likelihood of inheriting it from their parents. However, this theory has not yet been proven.
See the Health A-Z topic about Osteoarthritis for more information and advice about the condition.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe, but less common, form of arthritis than osteoarthritis. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys the affected joints, causing pain and swelling to occur. This can lead to a reduction in movement and the breakdown of bone and cartilage.
In the UK, rheumatoid arthritis affects around 350,000 people, and it often starts between 40 and 50 years of age. Women are three times more likely to be affected by the condition than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a fault in the immune system (the body’s natural defence against illness and infection) that makes the body attack its own tissues. The fault may be inherited genetically (passed on from a family member).
See the Health A-Z topic about Rheumatoid arthritis for more information and advice about the condition.
Arthritis and children
Arthritis is often associated with older people, but sometimes it can also affect children. This is known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, JIA is uncommon, affecting about one in 1,000 children.
The main types of JIA are discussed briefly below.
Oligo-articular JIA
Oligo-articular JIA is the most common type of JIA. It affects four or fewer joints in the body, most commonly in the knees, ankles and wrists.
Oligo-articular JIA has good recovery rates and long-term effects are rare.
However, there is a risk that children with the condition may develop eye problems, so it is advised that they should have regular eye checks with an eye care specialist (ophthalmologist).
Polyarticular JIA (or polyarthritis)
Polyarticular JIA (or polyarthritis) is type of JIA that affects five or more joints. It can develop at any age during childhood.
The symptoms of polyarticular JIA are similar to those of adult rheumatoid arthritis. The condition is often accompanied by a rash and a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above.
Systemic onset JIA
Systemic onset JIA begins with symptoms such as a fever, rash, lethargy (a lack of energy) and enlarged glands. Later on, joints may become swollen and inflamed. Like polyarticular JIA, systemic onset JIA can affect children of any age.
Enthesitis-related arthritis
Enthesitis-related arthritis is a type of juvenile arthritis that affects older boys or teenagers. The condition can cause pain in the soles of the feet and around the knee and hip joints, where the ligaments attach to the bone.
More information about arthritis in children can be found on the Arthritis Care website.
Outlook
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are a number of treatments that can help to slow down the condition’s progress. Medication can help to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and, in severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
For osteoarthritis, analgesics (painkillers), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids are often prescribed. In very severe cases, surgical procedures may be recommended such as:
arthroplasty (joint replacement therapy
arthodesis (joint fusion)
osteotomy (the addition or removal of bone)
See the Health A-Z topic about Osteoarthritis - treatment for more information about how the condition is treated.
In treating rheumatoid arthritis, the aim is to slow down the condition’s progress and minimise joint damage. Treatments that may be recommended for rheumatoid arthritis include:
analgesics (painkillers)
disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
physiotherapy
regular exercise
See the Health A-Z topic about Rheumatoid arthritis - treatment for more information about how the condition is treated.
Find and choose a hospital for arthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis
This page gives information on the symptoms of the two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
pain, especially when doing load-bearing activities, such as walking
short-lived stiffness in the morning, which improves in 30 minutes or less when you start to move
difficulty moving your affected joints or doing certain activities
However, in some cases of osteoarthritis, you may not have any symptoms at all, as the pain can come in episodes. Often, you will only experience symptoms in one joint or a few joints at any one time. Your symptoms may also develop slowly.
Other features you or your doctor may notice include:
joint tenderness
increased pain and stiffness when you have not moved your joints for a while
joints appearing slightly larger or more 'knobbly' than usual
a grating or crackling sound or sensation in your joints
limited range of movement in your joints
weakness and muscle wasting (loss of muscle bulk)
You are most likely to develop osteoarthritis in the joints of your knees, hips or hands.
For more information about how osteoarthritis can affect the knees, hips and hands, see Osteoarthritis - Symptoms
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually develop gradually. The first symptoms are often felt in small joints, such as your fingers and toes, although shoulders and knees can be affected early, and muscle stiffness can be a prominent early feature.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary from person to person, but are usually:
pain and stiffness in the joints
warmth and redness
inflammation around the joints and in other areas
These symptoms can come and go, and they may change over time. You will experience flare-ups when from time to time, your condition will worsen and your symptoms will be more intense and severe.
You can experience a flare-up at any time of the day or night. However, it is likely that your symptoms will be more painful in the morning, when you first wake up. Usually, your symptoms will begin to ease as the day progresses and you start using and flexing your joints.
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