Loading...

The Most Common Types of Arthritis

There are more than 100 types of arthritis but the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that develops over the years of wear and tear on the joints. It occurs when the cartilage, the structure that cushions the ends of your bones in your joints, gradually deteriorates. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the spine.

Aside from the breakdown of the cartilage, osteoarthritis can also cause changes in the bone and breakdown of connective tissues that hold the joint together.

Your risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age. There is also a higher risk if you are a woman, obese, have a family history of the disease, suffer from metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and have a history of joint diseases.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The most common symptoms of the disease are pain and stiffness. Other symptoms include grating sensation, loss of flexibility, swelling, and bone spurs (these are extra bits of bone that feel like hard lumps). Bone spurs put pressure on the nerves leaving the spinal column. This can cause weakness and pain in the arms or legs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, that is, when your own immune system attacks your own body’s tissues.

This form of arthritis doesn’t just affect your joints. In some people, it can also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. In very serious cases, the deteriorated joint in the spine can lead to compression of the spinal cord and/or the spinal nerve roots.

Your risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis may increase with age (it usually begins in middle age), your gender (more common in women), a family history of it, exposure to asbestos or silica, and obesity.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include tender and swollen joints, joint stiffness which usually gets worse in the morning or after inactivity, fever, fatigue, and weight loss.

Treating Arthritis

Arthritis is an individualized treatment. It depends on the cause, the severity of one’s condition, and the patient’s overall health and preference.

Some of the most common treatment options for arthritis include:

– Lifestyle changes
– Physical therapy
– Anti-inflammatory medications
– Intra-articular steroid injections
– Anti-rheumatic drugs
– Surgery to restore the function of the damaged joints

Early treatment can help halt the progression of arthritis. If you suspect you have arthritis of the neck and back, our doctors at Ozark Orthopaedics Spine Center can help.