Oh, Those Aching Joints! What to Know About 3 Types of Arthritis

Arthritis awareness month - types, causes, signs

Have you noticed that your knees are a little stiffer than they used to be? Do you have pain in your hips or swollen knuckles? These could be signs that you’re suffering from arthritis, like more than 54 million other Americans.¹ Learn more below about what causes this joint disorder, in general, and about three of the most common types of arthritis.

What is arthritis? 

Arthritis is a general term referring to inflammation, pain and swelling in one or more joints and related soft tissues. Arthritis symptoms can vary depending on the type of arthritis, and the joint or joints affected. Most arthritis symptoms include joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

What causes arthritis?

Age and injury are some of the most common causes of arthritis. But genetics, lifestyle, environment, joint injuries and infection may also lead to the disease. Some additional risk factors that may be easier to control include being overweight, repetitive movements (often job related) and smoking.

Three common types of arthritis

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but these three types are the most prevalent. 

• Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis and the odds of getting osteoarthritis increase with age. Osteoarthritis is related to wear and tear on overused joints and primarily affects the hands, hips or knees, causing pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis can make basic activities (like brushing your hair, walking or climbing stairs) difficult. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis can include stiffness after resting, joints that feel warm to the touch and the inability to move through a full range of motion.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, where your own immune system mistakenly attacks your healthy cells. This can lead to inflammation, which in turn causes joint damage. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to, but typically more severe than, symptoms of osteoarthritis and may affect multiple joints. Other RA symptoms can include morning stiffness, feeling more tired than usual, loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Psoriatic arthritis typically starts with psoriasis — patchy, discolored areas of inflamed skin caused by immune system dysfunction. If the immune system also attacks your joints, that’s psoriatic arthritis, and it causes joint swelling and stiffness. This type of arthritis tends to begin earlier than either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes starts in childhood. Psoriatic arthritis can cause swelling in your fingers and toes, as well as discolored fingernails.

Diagnosing, managing and treating arthritis symptoms 

If you’re bothered by persistent painful, swollen or stiff joints, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a thorough checkup. Depending on your symptoms and diagnosis of arthritis, your doctor may recommend arthritis medication, supplements for joints, or visiting a specialist, like a rheumatologist, to help treat and manage your arthritis symptoms.

The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for healthcare appointments (including specialist visits), tests and treatments at locations nationwide.* Use the Acceptance Locator or CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider near you that accepts the CareCredit card.