What does arthritis mean?
Arthritis is a broad term used for conditions that affect joints. Joint pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness or difficulty moving can occur, but different forms of arthritis have different causes and treatments.
For example, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, osteoarthritis involves changes in joint tissues over time, and gout is caused by urate crystals. That is why a useful first question is not only “Do I have arthritis?” but also “Which type could be causing my symptoms?”
Common types of arthritis
Arthritis symptoms can look different
Possible symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth, reduced movement or difficulty with daily activities. The pattern matters: one suddenly painful joint suggests a different set of possibilities from gradual knee pain or prolonged morning stiffness affecting several joints.
- Persistent swelling of fingers, wrists, feet or several joints.
- Morning stiffness that lasts longer than expected or improves with movement.
- Knee pain and stiffness with walking, stairs or rising from a chair.
- Repeated attacks of a very painful, swollen joint.
- Joint symptoms together with psoriasis, nail changes, eye symptoms or inflammatory back pain.
Symptoms alone cannot identify the type of arthritis. A clinical assessment helps distinguish inflammatory arthritis from osteoarthritis, injuries, infection and other causes of joint pain.
Which arthritis doctor should you see?
A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in arthritis and rheumatic diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Rheumatology may be particularly relevant for persistent joint swelling, suspected rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis or inflammatory back symptoms.
Some joint problems are managed by primary-care doctors, physiotherapists or other specialists. Orthopaedic surgeons focus on injuries and structural joint problems and provide surgical treatment when appropriate. See our rheumatologist vs orthopaedic surgeon guide if you are unsure which specialty fits your symptoms.
If you are looking for an arthritis doctor in Delhi, the Delhi rheumatology guide explains when specialist assessment may help and provides clinic information for Dr O P Garg at Rheumed Center For Arthritis Control.
How is arthritis evaluated?
There is no single test for all forms of arthritis. A clinician usually begins with the symptom pattern, medical history and joint examination. Depending on the suspected cause, testing may include blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound or other imaging, and sometimes analysis of joint fluid.
Tests such as rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP, ESR or CRP may be useful when inflammatory arthritis is being considered, but they need clinical interpretation. A positive result alone does not establish a diagnosis.
Arthritis treatment depends on the type
Because arthritis has many causes, treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Management can include exercise and rehabilitation, symptom-relieving medicines, disease-modifying medicines for inflammatory arthritis, treatment of gout risk factors, injections in selected circumstances, or surgery for some structural joint problems.
For detailed information, see the guides on rheumatoid arthritis, knee arthritis and osteoarthritis, gout and uric acid, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
आर्थराइटिस क्या है?
आर्थराइटिस (गठिया) किसी एक बीमारी का नाम नहीं है। यह जोड़ों में दर्द, सूजन, जकड़न या चलने-फिरने में परेशानी पैदा करने वाली कई अलग-अलग स्थितियों के लिए इस्तेमाल होने वाला शब्द है। इसके कारण और इलाज आर्थराइटिस के प्रकार के अनुसार बदलते हैं।
रूमेटॉइड आर्थराइटिस, ऑस्टियोआर्थराइटिस, गाउट और सोरियाटिक आर्थराइटिस इसके अलग-अलग प्रकार हैं। अगर जोड़ों में लगातार सूजन रहे, सुबह लंबे समय तक जकड़न हो, या बार-बार बहुत तेज दर्द और सूजन हो, तो डॉक्टर से जांच कराना उचित है।
यह जानकारी सामान्य शिक्षा के लिए है। केवल लक्षण या ब्लड टेस्ट देखकर खुद से निदान या इलाज शुरू न करें।
When joint symptoms need urgent medical attention
A suddenly very painful, hot or swollen joint—especially with fever or feeling unwell—can have causes that need urgent assessment, including joint infection. New severe eye pain or visual symptoms together with inflammatory joint disease also warrant prompt medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is arthritis one disease?
No. Arthritis includes many different joint conditions with different causes and treatments.
What kind of doctor treats arthritis?
Rheumatologists specialize in arthritis and rheumatic diseases, especially inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Other clinicians, including primary-care doctors, physiotherapists and orthopaedic specialists, may also be involved depending on the cause.
Is knee arthritis always osteoarthritis?
No. Osteoarthritis is common, but rheumatoid arthritis, gout, other inflammatory conditions, injury and infection can also affect the knee.
Does a positive rheumatoid factor mean I have rheumatoid arthritis?
No. Rheumatoid factor must be interpreted together with symptoms, examination and other investigations.
Can arthritis be cured?
That depends on the condition. Some forms can be controlled or resolve, while chronic forms are managed with treatment aimed at reducing symptoms, inflammation and long-term joint problems.
Medical references
Information is for general education and cannot provide a diagnosis, prescribe treatment or replace a consultation with a registered medical practitioner.