The term “arthritis” gets used a lot, oftentimes by people with undiagnosed joint pain. It’s no wonder; the Center for Disease Control estimates that or 58.5 million people in the U.S. – nearly a quarter of the population! – have some form of this condition. 

However, what’s less known and understood are the many distinctions between the different types of arthritis. While there are dozens of kinds of arthritis, not every unexplainable or undiagnosed joint pain is due to arthritis. An orthopaedic specialist can help you get diagnosed so that you get on the proper treatment plan. Take a look at the variations, symptoms, and possible treatments of some of the most common types of arthritis.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 

Perhaps the most widely-known form of arthritis, RA is an autoimmune disease that can attack different parts of the body, particularly the joints. You may first notice that you are experiencing stiffness in the morning that takes hours to go away. In addition, you may feel fatigued and notice a loss of appetite. About 20 percent of people with RA develop lumps or nodules over their knuckles, elbows, heels or other joint areas. 

Symptoms can be severe and often include: 

• Joint pain and stiffness  
• Multiple joints affected, from the hands, wrists and elbows to the ankles and feet, and even the jaw and neck 
• Swelling, typically the hands, wrists or feet 
• Warmth in the impacted joints 
• A similar pattern on both sides of the body  

Osteoarthritis  

Osteoarthritis is even more common than RA – but it’s also one of the more preventable forms of arthritis. That’s because this kind can be caused by injuries, repetitive use or overuse of certain joints, and obesity. Osteoarthritis often develops in the knees and hips of athletes, sometimes long after they’ve stopped participating in the sport that caused the wear and tear in the first place. It can come on gradually and lead to stiffness that makes routine activities difficult or impossible, but it isn’t associated with as severe symptoms as with RA. 

Psoriatic Arthritis 

Many people experiencing both inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) and the joints are suffering from what’s known as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is a skin malady associated with patchy, raised, discolored areas of inflamed skin, resulting in scales that eventually slough off the body. Typically, it surfaces on the elbows, knees, scalp and other parts of the body. Not everyone with psoriasis will develop arthritis, but this skin condition can be an early indicator of psoriatic arthritis. 

Gout  

Did you know gout is another form of arthritis? It is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint, typically in the big toe or elsewhere in the foot. Patients often discover they have gout after waking up in the night with a sudden, sharp pain in their toe. It can develop slowly and take years before the pain is frequent and severe enough that the patient seeks medical attention.  

However, this issue should not be overlooked. Eventually, the kidneys might become unable to process the uric acid your body naturally makes, leading to debilitating stiffness of the joints.  

Lupus 

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects some 1.5 million Americans. It can affect your joints and many organs in your body. Although the cause is still unknown, lupus is a potentially debilitating condition that can lead to inflammation in your joints, your organs and even your brain. While there is no cure, there are many treatments for lupus. These range from lifestyle and diet modifications to medications such as anti-inflammatories and steroids. 

Juvenile Arthritis 

Juvenile Arthritis (JA) describes a chronic, autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease that affects nearly 300,000 kids and teens throughout the U.S. Various types of JA can occur when the body begins to attack its own healthy cells and tissues. Most cases result in swelling, stiffness, pain and tenderness. Your child may experience mild or no joint symptoms, but their skin and internal organs could still be affected. RA is typically treated through non-surgical means. Severe cases can produce serious damage, including problems with bone development and growth, but there is an increasing number of options today for treating JA. 

New and Effective Treatments for Arthritis at Specialty Orthopaedic Clinics 

Clinics like MidAmerica Orthopaedics, located in Palos Hills and Mokena, Illinois, are a haven for people of all ages in search of the latest and most effective arthritis treatments. New developments in medications and surgeries are helping these patients live more fulfilling, pain-free lives. Some recent therapies are also showing promise in treating arthritis. Here are some of the most common and effective treatments today: 

• Injection Therapy  
• Medications like biological response modifiers (RBMs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) 
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)  
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy  
• Joint repair, such as joint fusion or joint replacement surgery 

Our team provides the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment methods for any stage or type of arthritis. Visit MidAmerica Orthopaedics online to learn more. Call (708) 237-7200 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.