What is arthritis?
- Arthritis means joint inflammation. It is often a chronic disease which can affect you over a long period of time. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Signs and Symptoms
- Stiff joints when getting out of bed or after sitting for a long time
- Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint
- Swelling in one or more joints
- Limited joint movement
- Redness and warmth in a joint
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or weakness with joint pain
- Joint deformities
Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.
- The cartilages break down allowing bones to rub together, causing pain and stiffness, although generally there is little or no inflammation.
- Most often occurs in the weight-bearing joints-hips, knees, spine or hands.
Rheumatoid arthritis
- In this condition, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed.
- Commonly affected joints: fingers, wrists, shoulders, knees or feet.