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Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation (swelling) of the joints and bones.

The main symptoms of  arthritis include:

pain

stiffness

restricted movements of the joints

inflammation and swelling

warmth and redness of the skin over the joint

Types of arthritis

There are over 200 different types of rheumatic diseases (conditions that cause aches and pains in a

person’s bones, joints and muscles).

 

Some of the most common types of arthritis include:

ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic (long-term) type of arthritis that affects the bones, muscles

and ligaments of the spine

cervical spondylitis - also known as degenerative osteoarthritis, cervical spondylitis affects

the joints and bones in the neck

fibromyalgia - a condition that causes pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as

all over the body

lupus - a chronic (long-term) condition that causes inflammation in the body's tissues

gout - a type of arthritis that usually affects the big toe, but can develop in any joint in the

body

psoriatic arthritis- joint inflammation that affects people with the skin condition, psoriasis

reactive arthritis - can cause inflammation of the joints, eyes, and urethra (the tube that

runs from the bladder through the penis in men, or vulva in women, through which urine is

passed)

secondary arthritis- a type of arthritis that can develop after a joint injury; it sometimes

occurs many years after the injury

polymyalgia rheumatica - a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue,

causing muscle pain, stiffness and joint inflammation

How common is arthritis?

In the UK, arthritis is a very common condition, affecting over nine million people. Two of the most

common forms of arthritis are:

osteoarthritis

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rheumatoid arthritis

The characteristics of these two conditions are discussed briefly below.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK, affecting an estimated 8.5 million

people.

In people affected by osteoarthritis, the cartilage (connective tissue) between their bones gradually

wastes away (degenerates), leading to painful rubbing of bone on bone in the joints. The most

frequently affected joints are in the:

hands

spine

knees

hips

Osteoarthritis often develops in people who are over 50 years of age. However, it can develop at any

age as a result of an injury or another joint-related condition.

The cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. One theory is that some people are genetically

predisposed to developing osteoarthritis, which means that they have an increased likelihood of 

inheriting it from their parents. However, this theory has not yet been proven.

See the Health A-Z topic about Osteoarthritis for more information and advice about the condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe, but less common, form of arthritis than osteoarthritis. It

occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys the affected joints, causing pain and

swelling to occur. This can lead to a reduction in movement and the breakdown of bone and

cartilage.

In the UK, rheumatoid arthritis affects around 350,000 people, and it often starts between 40 and 50

years of age. Women are three times more likely to be affected by the condition than men.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a fault in the immune system (the body’s natural defence against

illness and infection) that makes the body attack its own tissues. The fault may be inherited

genetically (passed on from a family member).

See the Health A-Z topic about Rheumatoid arthritis for more information and advice about the

condition.

Arthritis and children

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Arthritis is often associated with older people, but sometimes it can also affect children. This is

known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, JIA is uncommon, affecting about one in 1,000

children.

The main types of JIA are discussed briefly below.

Oligo-articular JIA

Oligo-articular JIA is the most common type of JIA. It affects four or fewer joints in the body, most

commonly in the knees, ankles and wrists.

Oligo-articular JIA has good recovery rates and long-term effects are rare.

However, there is a risk that children with the condition may develop eye problems, so it is advised

that they should have regular eye checks with an eye care specialist (ophthalmologist).

Polyarticular JIA (or polyarthritis)

Polyarticular JIA (or polyarthritis) is type of JIA that affects five or more joints. It can develop at any

age during childhood.

The symptoms of polyarticular JIA are similar to those of adult rheumatoid arthritis. The condition is

often accompanied by a rash and a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above.

Systemic onset JIA

Systemic onset JIA begins with symptoms such as a fever, rash, lethargy (a lack of energy) and

enlarged glands. Later on, joints may become swollen and inflamed. Like polyarticular JIA, systemic

onset JIA can affect children of any age.

Enthesitis-related arthritis

Enthesitis-related arthritis is a type of juvenile arthritis that affects older boys or teenagers. The

condition can cause pain in the soles of the feet and around the knee and hip joints, where the

ligaments attach to the bone.

More information about arthritis in children can be found on the Arthritis Care website.

Outlook

There is no cure for arthritis, but there are a number of treatments that can help to slow down the

condition’s progress. Medication can help to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and, in severe cases,

surgery may be recommended.

For osteoarthritis, analgesics (painkillers), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),

and corticosteroids are often prescribed. In very severe cases, surgical procedures may be

recommended such as:

arthroplasty (joint replacement therapy

arthodesis (joint fusion)

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osteotomy (the addition or removal of bone)

See the Health A-Z topic about Osteoarthritis - treatment for more information about how the

condition is treated.

In treating rheumatoid arthritis, the aim is to slow down the condition’s progress and minimise jointdamage. Treatments that may be recommended for rheumatoid arthritis include:

analgesics (painkillers)

disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

physiotherapy

regular exercise

See the Health A-Z topic about Rheumatoid arthritis - treatment for more information about how

the condition is treated.

Support groups

There are several support groups, such as Arthritis Research UK and Arthritis Care that offer advice

and support for people with arthritis and their families

Living with arthritis

There are things that you can do to manage your condition, ease your symptoms and improve your

quality of life. For example:

Controlling your weight can help to ease pressure on joints.

Avoiding stress or injury to your joints can help to prevent or reduce the severity of 

osteoarthritis.

Good posture can strengthen healthy joint structure.

Physiotherapy and use of a walking stick or cane can help prevent worsening of existing

conditions.

Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, will help to prevent osteoarthritis by increasingthe strength of muscles that support your joints. It's not true that avoiding exercise will help

reduce joint problems in later life.

Your GP can refer you to an occupational therapist who will be able to advise you on the equipment

you may need to assist your independent living. They can also write supporting letters to your local

social services department. If you need to adapt your home, a range of services and merchandise is

available, so it's important to shop around.

Protect yourself  

Arthritis can sometimes make you less flexible and mobile. This can increase your risk of having an

accident. There are several measures you can take to limit this risk.

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Eliminate home hazards. Always keep your home well lit and remove all loose wires and

cords that you may trip over. Make sure treads, rugs and carpets are secure. Keep rubber

mats by the sink and in the bath to prevent slipping, and always clean up spills immediately.

Install grab rails in the bathroom and toilet to help you stand up without falling. Your GP or

local authority may be able to give you support or advice about safety in the home.

Improve your balance. Exercise that helps improve your balance can prevent a fall. Being

physically active can prevent up to 25% of falls. Ideal forms of exercise for improving balance

include t'ai chi, yoga and dance.

Exchange high heels for flats. High heels are bad for your posture and make you more prone

to take a fall, so try to wear flat, comfortable footwear.

Don’t drink too much. Alcohol can affect your balance, making you more likely to take a

knock or a fall. Try to keep within the government recommended daily amounts of alcohol of 

no more than two to three units for women and three to four for men. A unit of alcohol ishalf a pint of normal strength lager or beer, one pub measure of a spirit or one small glass of 

wine.

Check your sight. As we get older, most of us will experience some deterioration in our

eyesight. It's important to get your sight checked regularly by a qualified optician. Poor

eyesight can increase your risk of accident and injury.

Ask for help. If you know you have arthritis, avoid standing on chairs to reach high

cupboards or change a light bulb. Also, try to avoid chores that you know lead to more pain.

Write a list of the jobs that need doing around the house and save it for the next time you

have a visit from friends or family.