Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis

Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Blog Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis
Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis

Complaints of pain or stiffness in one or more of your joints, especially in older individuals, often relate to arthritis. There’s a good chance that some type of arthritis is to blame for your symptoms of pain, stiffness, and joint dysfunction.

Arthritis is a common health condition, but did you know there are many different types of arthritis, with as many as 100 different diagnoses possible?

At the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Michael Blackwell provides lifelong joint care and support, including the hands and wrists, feet and ankles, and even hip joint and knee joint replacement surgeries.

If you’re suffering from arthritis symptoms, Dr. Blackwell helps you understand more about your condition and what you can do to find relief. Dr. Blackwell and his team welcome patients from convenient offices in Kingwood, Tomball, and Shenandoah, Texas.

Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis: Understanding the difference

Among the many types of arthritis, two account for the vast majority of diagnoses: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both of these conditions cause joint pain and dysfunction, but they differ in some important ways.

OA is a degenerative disease that tends to affect weight-bearing joints in your body, such as your hips and knees. This condition damages the cartilage that covers and cushions the ends of your bones. 

In the joints where your bones meet and connect, healthy cartilage helps bones slide past each other without harmful friction. As cartilage breaks down due to OA and wear-and-tear, pain and joint dysfunction develop.

RA, in contrast, is actually an autoimmune condition. That means your own immune system attacks your tissues as if they were harmful invaders. RA begins by attacking the tissues that line your joints, resulting in pain and inflammation. 

Over time, RA can destroy cartilage and bone matter in affected joints. Symptoms of RA are often severe.

Other types of arthritis: Gout, psoriatic arthritis, and more

If you aren’t affected by OA or RA, you can still suffer from debilitating symptoms due to other types of arthritis. These others include:

Your arthritis may also be related to another condition, such as skin psoriasis or lupus. Understanding your arthritis makes it possible for you to address underlying causes, slow disease progression, and reduce musculoskeletal damage.

Diagnosing and treating your arthritis

No matter what type of arthritis causes your symptoms, Dr. Blackwell and the team at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine help you identify and address your joint health issues. Your treatment focuses on relieving your symptoms and restoring your full quality of life.

Many types of arthritis worsen over time, especially without treatment. If you think you might be suffering from arthritis, make an appointment to get checked out by our joint health experts. 

We may be able to slow the progression of your arthritis, keeping your symptoms at bay.  If your symptoms are severe, you may also benefit from joint replacement surgery.

If you notice joint pain, stiffness, or redness and swelling in some of your joints, book your consultation online, or call today.

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