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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis

Controlling Your Arthritis

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Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is usually caused by normal wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. Other types of arthritis can be caused by uric acid crystals, infections or even an underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus.

Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Symptoms
References
  1. Questions and answers about arthritis and rheumatic diseases. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_qa.asp. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  2. Arthritis advice. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/arthritis-advice. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  3. Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  4. Arthritis: Frequently asked questions — General public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs.htm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  5. Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  6. Schur PH, et al. General principles of management of rheumatoid arthritis. http://uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  7. Weissman BN, et al. Diagnostic imaging of joint pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  8. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 26, 2012.
  9. Kalunian KC. Pharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  10. Kalunian KC. Nonpharmacologic therapy of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
  11. Chronic pain and CAM: At a glance. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/chronic.htm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  12. Sawitzke AD, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2010;69:1459.
DS01122 Jan. 22, 2013

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