Arthritis symptoms depend on the type of arthritis you have, but most types of arthritis cause pain, swelling or stiffness in one or more joints. Some forms of arthritis can also affect the muscles, bones or tissues surrounding a joint, causing problems with movement, balance and flexibility.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which can lead to loss of function and mobility in the affected joint. It can also affect the tendons, ligaments and other tissue around the joint.
Most people with arthritis have a family history of the condition, which increases their chances of developing it. Other factors that may increase your risk include being overweight, having a high blood pressure or diabetes, and smoking.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in many of your joints. Your immune system normally protects you from infections and other health problems, but in some people with RA, it starts to attack your body’s own cells instead of helping them fight off infection.
When your immune system attacks the body’s own cells, it can damage the lining of your joints. This can result in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that lasts for weeks or months. In addition, RA can cause damage to other tissues in your body and can affect organs such as the heart, lungs and eyes.
Your doctor will want to know more about your medical history and symptoms. They will also perform a physical exam to check for areas of tenderness or swelling in your joints. They might order blood tests or joint x-rays to diagnose your condition.
Some doctors may even remove a sample of fluid from your joint and send it to a lab for testing. This can help identify the cause of your arthritis, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can also cause pain and swelling in a joint. This can be difficult to diagnose, and it’s important to have your doctor check for the signs of arthritis while you’re being treated for IBD so that treatment can begin early.
You should talk to your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
Pain and stiffness in a single joint that lasts for days or more, particularly in the morning when you first wake up. This symptom is more likely with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and other inflammatory types of arthritis.
Inflammatory arthropathies, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause inflammation in other parts of your body, such as the skin or blood vessels. This can cause other conditions, such as shingles and blood clots.
If your joint pain is accompanied by fever, redness or swelling, call your healthcare provider right away for an emergency visit. In severe cases, a septic arthritis infection can become life-threatening.
Splinting a joint can help to reduce pain and stiffness. Splints are typically used in the hands and wrists, and should be small enough to allow functional use when they’re worn.
