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What is Arthritis: Types, Causes & Effective Prevention Strategies

By Dr. Simon Thomas in Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement , Robotic Surgery

Oct 11 , 2024 | 2 min read

Arthritis is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide, especially as they age. It involves inflammation of one or more joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. In fact, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2019 data, about 520 million people live with osteoarthritis around the world—an increase of 113% since 1990.

Types of Arthritis and its Causes

Out of many types of arthritis, the most common are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage, which acts as a cushion between the bones in a joint, wears down over time. This leads to bones rubbing against each other, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, leading to inflammation and damage. This condition can affect multiple joints at once and may cause symptoms throughout the body. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA can occur at any age.]

There are other forms of arthritis, such as gout, which is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joint, and psoriatic arthritis, which is associated with the skin condition psoriasis.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type but generally include:

Joint pain
Stiffness and Swelling in Joints
Decreased range of motion, etc.

In the case of gout, symptoms might include fever and fatigue

Prevention of Arthritis

The risk of arthritis can be lowered. Here is a brief description of how to possibly prevent arthritis:

Healthy weight: Most of the cases can be prevented by reducing weight. People with obesity are at high risk of developing arthritis as they are overloading their knees by putting more weight on them than they can handle.
Avoid trauma: Excessive injury to the knee can also increase the risk of arthritis.
Exercises: Including exercises in your daily routine will strengthen your muscles, which helps to keep your joints intact. If your muscles have enough power to bear the weight of your body naturally, the load on the knees will be much less.
A healthy diet: Include omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods such as salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, soya beans, etc. in your diet, as they have anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce joint pain and inflammation.

Treatment

The conservative treatment for relieving symptoms is through medications and physical therapy. Pain relievers to reduce inflammation are used. For RA, antirheumatic drugs are used to slow the progression of the disease.

Meanwhile, continuous physical therapy focuses on strengthening your muscles and improving mobility.

In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary. This is most commonly performed on hips and knees and can provide long-term relief for patients.

Living with Arthritis

While arthritis can be debilitating, there are ways to maintain a good quality of life. Early diagnosis and proper management are key to living well with arthritis. With the right combination of treatments and lifestyle adjustments, many people with arthritis continue to lead active and fulfilling lives.