Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common long-term condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. It can affect any joint in your body, but mostly occurs in the spine, knees, hips, fingers, and ankles.
Overview
Osteoarthritis
Over time, the cartilage layer that protects the ends of your bones wears away. Without cartilage, the bones in the joint rub together, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced movement. This can make it harder for you to walk, climb stairs, or do other daily activities.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
In RA, the immune system targets the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage. RA usually affects smaller joints, such as the joints in the hands and feet. Many people with RA experience ‘flares’, periods when joints become more inflamed and painful. These can happen with no obvious cause. ‘Flares’ are commonly followed by periods of relief with little inflammation which can last from days to years.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Like other types of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints. It is called ‘psoriatic arthritis’ because it tends to affect people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition that causes red, scaly patches on your skin. About 1 in 10 people who have psoriasis get psoriatic arthritis.
To learn more, contact our friendly team to see how we can assist you today.
