My Joints Are Swelling and In Pain. Should I Get Checked for Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in your joints.

If you have swollen, painful joints, you need to see your doctor. Many conditions can cause these problems, from injury to arthritis to certain kinds of infections. All of these causes need a doctor’s care. If it is arthritis, remember that the longer you wait, the more joint damage arthritis may cause. Your doctor can suggest treatment that can slow the progress of arthritis and help keep your joints healthy and functional.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in your joints. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and may get worse over time. The underlying reason for damage dictates what type of arthritis it is. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage (the slippery protective tissue lining the ends of bones in a joint) breaks down. As a result, the bones rub against each other and wear down. Osteoarthritis causes many of the same symptoms as rheumatoid arthritis with the addition of crackling.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

• Deep pain in the joint
• Trouble gripping things, squatting or climbing stairs
• Limited range of motion
• Swollen joints
• Morning stiffness typically lasting less than 30-60 minutes
• Pain typically worsened with activity and improved with rest

Primary osteoarthritis is more common in older adults because it is generally caused by wear and tear. It can affect any joint, but typically develops in knees, hips, hands and the spine. Additionally, injury or trauma – such as torn cartilage in a knee – can contribute to the development of secondary osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is when your body’s immune system attacks the cells lining your joints by mistake. This can cause inflammation, pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease since your immune system is attacking healthy cells that are not harming your body.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis – Symptoms may come on suddenly or develop over time

• Pain in one or more joints
• Stiffness of joint(s)
• Swelling in joint(s)
• Fatigue and weight loss

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to have a symmetrical pattern, meaning that two or more similar joints (for example your wrists or knees) start to develop symptoms at roughly the same time. It is crucial to seek medical treatment if your symptoms match those listed above since rheumatoid arthritis can progressively worsen over time. This can cause serious damage to your joints and can limit your daily activities.

Other types of arthritis

Another less common type of arthritis is called gout. Gout occurs due to a high uric acid concentration in your blood, which forms sharp urate crystals in your joints. These crystals cause the intense sensations of pain, swelling, and tenderness characteristic of a gout attack. These attacks are frequently sudden and often occur in the big toe.

There are also many other types of arthritis. Additional types with a brief description are listed below:

• Ankylosing Spondylitis: This type of arthritis is a condition where the vertebrae of the spine begin to merge together, eventually leading to a hunched-forward posture. This posture can affect your ribs, which can, in turn, affect your lungs and heart. Research has found that those with the gene HLA-B27 are much more likely to develop ankylosing spondylitis.
• Juvenile Arthritis: An umbrella term for autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases that arise in children under the age of 16. JA causes swelling, pain and tenderness in joints, but can also attack internal organs and the skin. It affects about 300,000 children and teens in the U.S.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: This may occur along with skin psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by patches of red, scaly, and often itchy skin. This is caused by the overgrowth of skin cells due to an immune disorder.
• Septic Arthritis: Septic arthritis occurs due to an infection in the joint(s). How the infection begins varies by each case, such as if the bloodstream carried pathogens to the joint or if an animal bite delivered harmful bacteria to the joint. Septic arthritis most commonly affects the knee, but it can occur in many other joints.

How to reduce the risk of arthritis

So, what puts a person at risk for developing arthritis? There is no direct way to perfectly predict if you will develop arthritis, but a few factors can be used as a guide to know your risk, boost prevention, and prepare for future medical decisions. If arthritis tends to run in your family, it is reasonable to assume you have a higher chance to be prone to it.

Here are a few ways to keep your joints healthy as you age.

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Control your blood sugar
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid strenuous activities with a high risk for joint injuries
• Quit smoking
• Take Omega-3s

Treatment for arthritis

If you start to see symptoms, see your doctor. There is no cure for arthritis, but your doctor can suggest treatment that can minimize impacts like pain and slow the progression of the disease.

Treatment options may include:

• Medications that reduce pain and inflammation
• Medications that suppress the immune system
• Topical creams and ointments that ease pain
• Physical therapy
• Surgery to repair or replace joints when other measures are no longer effective

Arthritis Resources

• Learn more about arthritis
• Learn about St. Mary’s outpatient physical therapy services
• Is it time for joint surgery? Learn about St. Mary’s orthopedic services

Akram Faraz is a student at UGA's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2025.

Mark Ralston, St. Mary’s Health Care System public relations manager, contributed to this blog.

St. Mary’s Blog is provided for general information only. It is not a substitute for examination and advice from a licensed medical provider. Please talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your health.