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Booking an appointment is quick and straightforward! Arrange your session in just a few clicks and get the support you need without hassle. Start your journey to feeling better from the comfort of your home—it’s that easy!

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Receive a personalised treatment plan created just for you. Our specialists will guide you through practical methods to manage pain and improve mobility. Experience natural relief and get back to enjoying life—all from the convenience of your own home.

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You’re never alone in managing arthritis. Our compassionate professionals are here to listen, understand, and provide ongoing support. With personalised advice and encouragement, we’ll help you feel empowered and ready to improve your quality of life.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What Is Arthritis and How It Affects Your Joints

Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. Joints are the places in your body where two or more bones meet, like in your knees, wrists, hips, and ankles. When arthritis damages your joints, it can make moving around uncomfortable and sometimes very painful. This condition can affect people of all ages, even teenagers, but it’s most common in older adults.

There are over 100 types of arthritis, each with different causes. One common type occurs as joints naturally wear down with age, known as osteoarthritis. Other types can develop after an injury damages a joint. Some forms of arthritis are linked to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, like rheumatoid arthritis.

If you have joint pain that won’t go away or is affecting your ability to move or do daily activities, it’s essential to see a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in managing the symptoms and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Common Symptoms and Signs of Arthritis

Arthritis can cause various symptoms that impact the joints and, sometimes, other body parts. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may come and go or become long-term.

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

  • Pain: Can be constant or come and go, affecting one or more joints.

  • Swelling: The skin over the joint may become red, swollen, and warm to the touch.

  • Stiffness: Often worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity; can also occur after exercise.

  • Reduced movement: Difficulty moving the joint or doing daily activities.

  • Tenderness: The joint may feel sore when pressed.

  • Redness and warmth: Common around swollen joints.

Other symptoms that may occur, depending on the type of arthritis:

  • Fatigue: Feeling tired and lacking energy.

  • Morning stiffness: Lasting 30 minutes or more in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Clicking or grating feeling: Often in the knees or joints that bend.

  • Joint instability: Weakness or a feeling that the joint may give way.

  • Low-grade fever: Especially with autoimmune forms of arthritis.

  • Eye inflammation: Seen in certain types, like juvenile arthritis.

Different Types of Arthritis Explained

Arthritis comes in many forms, with over 100 different types. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA): This is the most common type of arthritis and happens when the cartilage cushions your joints and wears down. This causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. It usually affects the knees, hips, spine, and hands. Osteoarthritis becomes more common as people age or following an injury.

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system attacks the body’s joints by mistake. This can cause painful swelling, which can lead to joint damage over time. RA often affects the same joints on both sides of the body, such as wrists or knees, and can also cause fatigue.

  • Gout: Gout causes sudden, sharp pain, often in the big toe. It happens when uric acid builds up and forms crystals in the joints. The pain can be intense and may be triggered by certain foods or drinks.

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis: This type of arthritis mainly affects the spine, causing pain and stiffness from the neck to the lower back. Over time, the bones in the spine can fuse, making movement difficult. It usually starts in young adults and is more common in men.

  • Psoriatic Arthritis: People who have the skin condition psoriasis can also get psoriatic arthritis. It causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, making fingers and toes look swollen. It also causes fatigue and varies in severity.

  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): This type affects kids under 16. It causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and can impact a child’s growth if left untreated. JIA can come and go, but with proper care, it can improve or go into remission.

  • Septic Arthritis: This type is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection in a joint. It causes severe pain and swelling and needs quick treatment with antibiotics to prevent damage.

 

Each type of arthritis is unique, and receiving the proper treatment is crucial for managing symptoms and maintaining an active lifestyle.

What Causes Arthritis and Risk Factors

Arthritis can have many causes, depending on the type. Here are some common ones:

  • Wear and tear: This causes osteoarthritis, which happens as you age. Years of using your joints can wear down the cartilage that cushions them, leading to pain and stiffness. Injuries, such as fractures, can also increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.

  • Immune system problems: In rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissues. This causes swelling, pain, and joint damage. Conditions like lupus and scleroderma are also linked to autoimmune issues.

  • Uric acid buildup: Gout is caused by high uric acid levels in the blood. When the body has too much uric acid, sharp crystals form in the joints, leading to sudden and intense pain. Other types of crystal-related arthritis can also develop from metabolic issues.

  • Infections: Some types of arthritis can be triggered by infections, such as Lyme disease or viruses. These infections can cause joint inflammation and symptoms of arthritis.

  • Genetic factors: Certain genes can increase the risk of developing arthritis. For example, the HLA-B27 genetic marker is linked to ankylosing spondylitis.

  • Other risk factors: Age, family history of arthritis, obesity, smoking, and activities that involve repetitive joint movements can raise the chances of getting arthritis. Previous joint injuries also increase the likelihood of developing arthritis.

Sometimes, arthritis has no apparent cause and develops unpredictably.

Types of Arthritis and Recommended Treatments

Type of Arthritis Main Features Recommended Treatment
Osteoarthritis Cartilage breakdown from wear and tear Pain relief, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes
Rheumatoid Arthritis Autoimmune inflammation of joints DMARDs, biologics, corticosteroids
Gout Uric acid crystal buildup Uric acid control, anti-inflammatory medication
Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine inflammation and stiffness Exercise, NSAIDs, biologic therapy
Psoriatic Arthritis Linked with psoriasis, causes joint swelling Immunosuppressants, biologics
Juvenile Arthritis Affects children under 16 Early diagnosis, DMARDs, physiotherapy

How Arthritis Is Diagnosed Online and In-Clinic

During a video consultation, a doctor will discuss your symptoms and examine your affected joints. Afterward, they will collect all the necessary information to diagnose accurately. If the doctor needs to examine you in person to make a diagnosis, they can refer you to a surgery or hospital for further tests.

Your doctor may order a blood test to help diagnose if you have an autoimmune disease or rheumatoid arthritis. The test results can also help to identify other potential causes and determine the severity of the issue.

Effective Treatment Options for Arthritis Relief

Treating arthritis focuses on reducing pain, improving joint function, and preventing further damage. The right treatment plan will depend on the type of arthritis you have, which joints are affected, and how severe your symptoms are. Here are some common treatments:

  • Medication: Different medicines are used to manage arthritis symptoms:

    • Pain relief: Painkillers like paracetamol help reduce pain but do not treat the underlying inflammation.

    • Anti-inflammatory drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which relieve pain and swelling.

    • DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs): These are used for inflammatory arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis. DMARDs slow down the disease and help prevent joint damage.

    • Biologics: These advanced medicines target specific parts of the immune system to stop inflammation.

    • Corticosteroids are potent drugs that reduce inflammation and are sometimes injected directly into a joint.

  • Physical Therapy: Physiotherapists can teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints, improve movement, and reduce pain. Occupational therapists can suggest ways to protect your joints in daily activities, like using special tools to make tasks easier.

  • Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, like swimming or walking, can help keep your joints flexible. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to reduce pressure on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.

  • Surgery: If the joint damage is severe and other treatments haven’t worked, surgery may be an option. This could involve joint replacement (like a knee or hip replacement), joint repair, or joint fusion.

  • Other Therapies: Using hot or cold packs can provide relief. Heat helps relax muscles, while cold packs reduce swelling and numb sharp pain.

A combination of treatments often works best, and your doctor will help create a plan tailored to your needs. Mobi Doctor can support you with expert advice and personalised treatment plans for managing arthritis. Our professionals will help you find the best options to reduce pain, improve movement, and protect your joints

FAQ

The best treatment depends on the type of arthritis. It may include anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy, joint injections, or lifestyle changes like exercise and weight management.

Yes. With Mobi Doctor, you can consult a qualified doctor online for arthritis assessment, medication, and pain management strategies—all without leaving home.

Early signs include joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), swelling, redness, and reduced movement. Early treatment helps prevent further joint damage.

No, arthritis doesn’t go away on its own, but proper treatment can relieve pain, slow progression, and help you stay active.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, leafy greens, berries, and turmeric can help reduce inflammation. Avoid processed foods and excess sugar.

If you have persistent joint pain, swelling, or stiffness that limits your daily activities, it’s time to consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Yes. Gentle activities like swimming, yoga, or walking can strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and reduce joint stiffness.


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