The term arthritis means "joint inflammation." Inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Common Types of Arthritis
| Osteoarthritis (OA) | Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) |
| Develops when the cartilage (cushioning at the ends of bones) breaks down | Develops when the body’s immune system attacks the joint |
| Causes pain and stiffness in the knees, hips, back, or hands | Causes inflammation and severe pain in wrists, hands, and feet; also causes pain in neck, elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, and ankles |
| May cause significant pain and disability | May also cause appetite loss, fever, lack of energy, anemia, or nodules (lumps) under the skin |
| Affects about 27 million Americans over the age of 25 | Affects 1.3 million adults in the US, mostly women |
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis begins with the breakdown of joint cartilage, resulting in pain
and stiffness. OA commonly affects the joints of the hips, knees, spine and fingers. Other joints affected less frequently include the wrists, elbows,
shoulders, and ankles. OA can also be caused by work-related repetitive injury
and physical trauma.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis causes inflammation of the joint lining, called the synovium.
This type of arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness.
The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in loss of normal movement.
RA can affect other parts of the body as well, including the blood, the lungs, and the heart. Rheumatoid Arthritis is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men, and generally affects people between the ages of 25 and 55. However, young children can develop a form of RA called juvenile RA.
