There are more than 100 different arthritis types, which are split into three main classifications. These are inflammatory arthritis, for example rheumatoid arthritis, non-inflammatory arthritis, for example osteoarthritis, and connective tissue/ autoimmune disease, for example lupus.

Arthritis is a term generally used to describe inflammation within a joint, whilst rheumatism is a more general term used to describe aches and pains in or around the joint area. The three most common and well known types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. However, there are many rarer and less known types of the disease; we will explore some of these in this article.

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What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in some people who experience the skin condition psoriasis. The skin is in a constant process of regeneration, and completely replaces itself over the course of a month. New skin cells form underneath the outer layer of older skin, which then sloughs off to expose the newer skin. Psoriasis develops when the regeneration process occurs too quickly- the new skin cells develop faster than they should and the old skin is not shed quick enough. This causes scaly red patches of skin to form, known as plaques, which can become very sore and itchy. These psoriasis plaques are usually found in localized patches on the knees, elbows, buttocks or head but can be found anywhere on the body and can occasionally cover a wider area.

Psoriatic arthritis generally only develops in psoriasis sufferers, although this does not mean that psoriasis sufferers will automatically develop the condition, nor does it mean that those with the most severe psoriasis symptoms will develop more severe forms of psoriatic arthritis. The condition occurs in around five to ten percent of people with psoriasis. In addition, around fifteen percent of people develop psoriatic arthritis before experiencing the symptoms of psoriasis.

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Joints can handle some heavy pressure. For example, knees have to handle a force of three to four times a person’s total body weight on average when just talking a walk. The force of a deep knee bend during a squat can increase to nine times the body’s weight. So just imagine multiplying weight of more than 150 pounds times a minimum of three or four, and then even more. That can add up to a lot of heavy work on knee joints over a period of time.

Now for the science behind this scenario. The place where two bones meet is called the joint- the bone ends are covered with cartilage, also known as gristle.

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There is a general misconception that arthritis is an age-related medical condition that afflicts only senior citizens or the elderly. This may be true for osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint disorder that usually affects adults of both sexes in their middle ages. But what most people don’t understand is that there are other types or causes of arthritis.

Arthritis, also known as joint inflammation, is defined as an inflammation of one or more joints and involves the breakdown of cartilage, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited movement.

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Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the US. 20% of arthritis sufferers are unable to perform vital life activities such as working or housekeeping because of their condition. Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis can also have a negative effect on mental health. Some forms of arthritis also make your body age faster.

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An early diagnosis will be effective in managing and treating arthritis, so it is a good idea to check with your doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms.

You may experience stiffness or pain in one or more of your joints. You will usually experience this pain in the neck, knees, fingers or hips, but your toes and elbows can also become affected. This stiffness or pain may be more apparent on waking or after sitting for long periods of time. As the joints naturally loosen with use, the pain may ease during the day, but may return in the evening.

The joints may become hot or swollen, and in the event of Osteoporosis bony growths may develop, usually on the knuckles.

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Hip arthritis is generally caused by wear and tear of the hip joint- the protective cartilage in the joint wears away to expose the bones, which then rub against each other, causing pain and further damage.

Hip arthritis can differ from other forms of arthritis in that it does not always follow a natural progression; sufferers report that the severity of symptoms can fluctuate month by month, and that these can be influenced by the weather and climatic conditions. This means that it can be difficult to determine the progression of hip arthritis.

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There are several possible causes of arthritis, and these may vary from one individual to another.

Whilst rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, osteoarthritis is generally caused by wear and tear to the joints in the body over the years. The joints are protected by cartilage and other tissues, which are able to repair and heal themselves on a daily basis.

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Spinal arthritis is also known as Spondylosis. It is generally caused by degeneration and wear and tear, although can also be triggered by injury or spinal surgery. It is thought that there may also be a genetic link. Spinal arthritis can affect any area of the spine, and due to the high number of nerves present within the spinal structure can be very painful.

Symptoms; You may notice increased stiffness in the spine, which can be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. There will also be pain, which may be exacerbated by movement and which may come and go. There may be additional pain or numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms or legs, including the Sciatic nerve.

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It is possible to identify Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in its early stages if you learn how to recognise the common symptoms of this condition. RA usually starts with one or more symptoms which can change over time with its progression.

RA often starts in middle age, but can also develop in younger people and even children. It causes inflammation of the joint linings (synovium), which results in excessive joint fluid being produced, causing stiffness, pain, characteristic swelling and loss of joint function. In worse cases, it can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs, heart and surrounding blood vessels. RA can also cause the glands around the mouth and eyes to become inflamed, causing dryness- this is known as Sjogren’s syndrome.

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