Arthritis care

Arthritis is a broad term used to describe many conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation. One of the most common forms, osteoarthritis, develops over time from loss of normal cartilage in the joints. In contrast, inflammatory arthritis is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking joint tissue. You may be familiar with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. Many people are affected by other forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and gout. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and scleroderma can also involve joint pain and inflammation.

In some cases, people may have both osteoarthritis and an inflammatory form of arthritis. These overlapping conditions require care that can address both the mechanical and immune-related aspects of joint damage.

Arthritic conditions vary widely in their causes, symptoms, severity, and treatment, but all can significantly affect daily life. Whether you’re managing a common type of arthritis, a rare autoimmune condition, or a combination of issues, Penn Medicine offers the expertise and coordinated care you need. Our teams in rheumatology, orthopaedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and more work together to help you maintain your health, mobility, and overall well-being.

Arthritis can affect more than just joints. Many types involve multiple organ systems and require care from a range of experts. At Penn Medicine, arthritis specialists collaborate across disciplines to deliver precise, coordinated care for both common and complex conditions.

• Multispecialty collaboration: Rheumatologists work closely with experts in orthopaedics, PM&R, dermatology, nephrology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, ENT, ophthalmology, neurology, and radiation medicine. All of these specialties are well represented within Penn Medicine, enabling an integrated approach to your care.
• Expertise in complex and rare conditions: Penn Rheumatology offers dedicated programs for inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, spondyloarthritis, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, and more. Our providers are leaders in diagnosing and treating rare forms of arthritis and stand out globally for their deep expertise in these conditions.
• Leading care for common conditions: In addition to rare diseases, we offer expert arthritis treatment for gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. With more than 30 rheumatologists on staff, our program is one of the largest in the nation.
• Focused arthritis pain management: We take your pain seriously and seek to address it at its source, whether it stems from joint wear, nerve irritation and damage, or central sensitization, a condition where the nervous system amplifies pain signals.
• Research-driven care: We are innovators in arthritis care and research, with active clinical trials and studies in autoimmune and inflammatory disease.