Frequently Asked Questions
- What is arthritis?
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Arthritis is exhibited by joint swelling, pain, and loss of motion.
- Is there more than one kind of arthritis?
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There are more than 100 kinds of disease that can cause arthritis.
The most common forms of arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Gout
Less common forms are referred to as psoriatic and septic arthritis.
- What is osteoarthritis?
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Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is caused by injury or years of use. It results when the smooth cartilage between the bone joints wear out or is damaged by injury or disease.
- Do only old people get arthritis?
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No. Although osteoarthritis can be found in young adults, it usually becomes more of a problem with age. Rheumatoid arthritis may affect young and old people.
- What is rheumatoid arthritis?
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Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It tends to be present for many years.
Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects many joints and can lead to damage of cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone. This may cause deformity of the joints.
We do not yet understand the cause of rheumatoid arthritis as it varies from person to person.
