What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Joints are where two or more bones meet to support your body’s movement. Your joints include soft connective tissue, like cartilage, that stops bones from rubbing together. When any part of the joint deteriorates, arthritis can occur. Arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness that can be mild and intermittent or more severe and chronic, which can impact your ability to perform regular daily activities.

The specialists at Penn Medicine offer expert nonsurgical and surgical treatment for all types of arthritis. Our team has access to the latest research and therapies available to provide advanced treatments that reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term joint health.

Arthritis symptoms

Arthritis can affect joints throughout your body, and is commonly found in the shoulder, spine, hips, hands, wrists, and knees. Symptoms may include: 

  • Joint pain  
  • Joint stiffness  
  • Joint swelling  
  • Warmth or redness around a joint 

What causes arthritis?

Causes of arthritis differ depending on the type. The most common form, osteoarthritis, is caused by wear and tear on joint cartilage over time. Post-traumatic arthritis can occur over time following injuries. Some forms of arthritis are caused when the immune system targets its own tissues in the joints, as with reactive arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

While the cause of some types of arthritis is unknown, some of the risk factors for arthritis include: 

  • Aging: As people age, they’re more likely to have arthritis. 
  • Gender: People assigned female at birth are more likely to have arthritis. 
  • Heredity: Arthritis can be linked to certain genes. 
  • Infection: Bacterial and viral infections can infect joints and cause arthritis. 
  • Injury: A damaged joint is more likely to develop arthritis. 
  • Repeated use: Overuse of your joints, like when you bend a joint every day to perform a job, can lead to arthritis. 
  • Weight: Carrying extra weight can damage your knee joints. 

Diagnosing arthritis 

To diagnose arthritis, your care team will ask about your symptoms, review your medical history, and do a physical exam. In addition, your doctor may recommend blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, and other diagnostic tools to get a clear picture of your bones, joints, and soft tissues and determine the type of arthritis you have.

Arthritis treatment at Penn Medicine

There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment can help limit inflammation, decrease pain, and preserve joint function. Your Penn Medicine provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to ease pain and swelling. Physical therapy and alternative therapies like acupuncture and massage can bring relief. At-home measures like alternating heat and cold packs can also be effective. In some cases, your doctor may recommend arthritis surgery or additional treatments. 

Managing a life with arthritis

While there is no cure for arthritis, people can live a full life with treatment and lifestyle changes. The following tips can help reduce arthritis symptoms:

  • Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight adds extra stress to your joints. Losing extra weight eases arthritis pain and helps medications work better.
  • Move your body: Regular exercise can improve joint function and flexibility. Staying active also reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious conditions.
  • Use adaptive equipment: Assistive devices can help with everyday living. For example, canes, electric can openers, handrails, shoe inserts, raised toilet seats, walkers, zipper pulls, and other equipment can help you perform daily tasks.

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