Arthritis is the inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. As a result, tissue breakdown of the lining occurs.

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

However, other types include:

• Ankylosing spondylitis- inflammation of the spinal bones

• Gout- sudden and severe attack of pain, swelling, and tenderness in joints due to accumulation of uric acid build-up

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis- child arthritis affecting people aged 16 and younger.

The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis, signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Redness

• Decreased range of motion

Wear-and-tear damage to a joint's cartilage results in deterioration of the connective tissues. If severely damaged, the joint lining becomes inflamed and swollen. This damage causes pain and restricted movement of the joints over many years. Other factors include infection or injury. In some types of arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, destroying the cartilage and bone within.

Certain factors make you more likely to develop arthritis. Some risk factors are controllable, while others are not. Taking charge of the risk factors you control can decrease your risk of getting arthritis or making arthritis worse. Controllable risk factors include maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and exercising.

Treatment of arthritis will depend on the type of arthritis you have. For example, some people may be able to manage arthritic pain with heat and cold therapy, while others may need medication or surgery. The team at Reform ABQ offers a variety of treatments to help aid in your symptoms, we can also help facilitate care coordination if specialists are needed.