The Seven Most Common Types of Arthritis

Arthritis, or inflammation of a joint has often been described as a creeping disease too. This is because it sneaks up on us gradually, until we wake up to discover that the pain to which we have become used, may well be with us forever.

Many of the more common types of Arthritis are associated with ageing, and as we live longer it stands to reason that their frequency and severity will increase.

More than nine million people in the United Kingdom suffer from arthritic pain already. The disease, of which there are over a hundred types, is the most common cause of disability in the United States of America too. No wonder more and more people are asking what is Arthritis, and which types are the most common.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most commonly occurring of all types of Arthritis. It can affect both the larger and the smaller joints in our bodies, and it begins with the unexplained drying-out of our bone cartilage.

If we do nothing about it then the ends of the bones themselves will eventually be worn away.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nobody is absolutely certain why this potentially crippling disease develops either, and it is particularly cruel because it even may attack young children.

The main driver is a malfunction in our body’s own immune system – suddenly, what was supposed to protect us begins to attack our body tissues including cartilages, and joint linings as well.

Gouty Arthritis

Although the sight of a person hobbling along with this type of Arthritis may cause mirth among some, it is in fact a potentially serious matter that demands attention immediately.

A breakdown of normal body functioning results in the accumulation of urate crystals in a joint, usually the big toe or knee, but this can spread to the kidneys if not treated.

Septic Arthritis

Infection begins when bacteria are carried through the bloodstream to a joint that becomes cross-infected, and this is quite often one where a prosthesis has been fitted.

The fact that it is invisible is no reason for it to be ignored - it can destroy a joint permanently within a matter of days if left untreated.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

This has been described as the unkindest of all types of Arthritis, because it develops in children aged below sixteen following auto-immune failure. The only “good” thing about it is that it is relatively rare and may not be chronic. It occurs most commonly in knees, ankles and wrists, but can spread throughout the entire body if not treated.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This disease also known as SLE for ease of reference is another example of what can happen if our auto-immune system gets its wires crossed, and begins attacking what is was designed to protect.

While its major threat is to our kidneys, nearly ninety percent of sufferers also experience musculoskeletal pain, although this seldom develops into severe inflammation of their joints.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Young men aged between twenty and forty are the most likely candidates for this type of Arthritis that manifests as low back pain that may be referred to their buttock or thigh too.

Difficult to diagnose and often confused with other pain-inducing conditions, Ankylosing spondylitis should be treated as soon as detected, although like all other forms of Arthritis there is no known cure.

Other Types of Arthritis

As mentioned earlier there are at least another ninety-three different types of Arthritis, although these are by definition all less common.

All have similar symptoms including muscle stiffness and joint pain, and all prevent us from doing readily what we used to do without a second thought.

Although there is no certainty regarding the root causes of these, and there is no talk yet of a complete cure, medical treatments are available to slow their spread down, and mitigate their effects.