Arthritis is one of the most common conditions known to man and has been around for a very long time as evidence of it has been seen in skeletons from ages past. Arthritis means inflammation of the joints (arthr = joint, itis = inflammation). It is a general term which should not be taken literally in all cases since many forms of arthritis do not involve inflammation. Osteoarthritis which is considered by many to be the most common type of arthritis is an example of a non-inflammatory type of arthritis. There are many different forms of arthritis and they can be differentiated from one another based on signs, symptoms and their different appearances on imaging. Apart from the joints, some forms of arthritis may show involvement of other organs such as the heart, eyes, skin, lungs and more.
Normal
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Some of the more common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica, infectious arthritis and scleroderma. Apart from this list there are many other forms of arthritis but those above represent the more common types.
Apart from the many forms of arthritis, there are also many conditions which may mimic arthritis. Painful conditions of the tendons and ligaments near joints for example, may make the individual or even the physician think that arthritis is present. It is therefore important to do a complete work-up including a history, physical exam, testing and imaging when attempting to diagnose or rule out arthritis. Costly mistakes can be made otherwise.
The treatments for arthritis are based on the causes and therefore also vary widely.