5 Common Types of Arthritis
Updated: May 27, 2025
4 mins
You may notice your parents or grandparents complain about pain in their wrists and hands. Sudden jolts of pain and stiffness in the joints after household activities like cutting the grass or washing a dish are often one of the first signs of arthritis.
Arthritis is a rheumatic condition causing inflammation in the connective tissues and joints. Those with arthritis may experience mild to severe pain in the knees, hips, wrists, and other parts of the body. Severe arthritis affects everyday life by limiting how often you can do certain physical activities without experiencing severe pain. While over 100 different types of arthritis exist, there are five main types that are more commonly diagnosed in the U.S.
Who is Most at Risk for Arthritis?
While arthritis can occur at any age, the likelihood of developing the condition increases as you get older. Elderly adults tend to lose more muscle, which can affect joint strength. If people in your family have arthritis, this may increase your chances of developing it as well.
Certain health conditions, like obesity, can place extra stress on the joints and increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis (a type of arthritis that wears down cartilage in the joints). Smoking tobacco, infections, and joint injuries can also increase your risk of arthritis. If you work a job that places a lot of stress on the joints, you may also develop arthritis sooner. In the U.S., one in three veterans have arthritis.
Gender may also play a role in your likelihood of developing certain types of arthritis. For example, men are more likely than women to develop gout (a type of inflammatory arthritis). However, more research is still needed to know what factors contribute to the increased risk.
What are the Most Common Types of Arthritis?
Different types of arthritis can lead to varying levels of redness, swelling, and joint pain. A healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, ask about your medical history, and perform blood tests to determine if you have one of the following types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Gout
1. Osteoarthritis
This form of arthritis causes a breakdown of protective cartilage and fluid. In the most severe cases, bones may rub against each other. Osteoarthritis typically affects the hips, hands, knees, and spine in elderly adults, but it can also happen while you are a young adult. Certain lifestyle factors like obesity, a family history of osteoporosis, and participating in athletic activities may increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Those with osteoarthritis may experience stiffness, limited range of motion, and loss of flexibility in the joints.
How is osteoarthritis treated?
Pain and anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids, NSAIDs, platelet-rich plasma, and counterirritants are common medications used to treat osteoarthritis. A healthcare provider may also recommend anti-seizure and antidepressant medications.
2. Psoriatic Arthritis
When someone has psoriatic arthritis, the immune system attacks the skin and joints. Skin rashes and joint pain are common psoriatic arthritis symptoms that affect those with the autoimmune condition psoriasis. Unlike some other types of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is more likely to affect multiple joints in the body at once by weakening the immune system.
How is psoriatic arthritis treated?
NSAIDs and other over-the-counter pain medications can help you treat mild symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Biologics can also help target severe inflammation caused by psoriatic arthritis.
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Those with obesity, gum disease, hormonal imbalances, and other health conditions may have an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent joint damage and persistent inflammation that also affects the organs. The immune system attaches itself and triggers inflammation in the body.
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?
Corticosteroids and NSAIDs are often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Some antirheumatic drugs may also help slow the progression of joint damage.
4. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a pain disorder that intensifies central nervous system pain signals. Those with fibromyalgia may experience trouble sleeping, mood swings, fatigue, and intense pain. Those with a history of other chronic health conditions are more at risk for developing fibromyalgia.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
A healthcare provider may recommend medications like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) to help manage fibromyalgia pain. A healthcare provider may also recommend exercises like yoga and aerobic activity to help with fibromyalgia symptoms.
5. Gout
This type of arthritis leads to a buildup of uric acid that causes crystals in the joints. Crystals in the joints can lead to intense pain and lumps in the surrounding tissue. Gout pain typically affects the big toe, but can also cause pain in other parts of the body. Men are often more likely than women to experience gout. Still, anyone can be diagnosed with gout.
How is gout treated?
NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and other anti-inflammatory medications can help treat pain from gout. A healthcare provider may also recommend medications that lower uric acid to prevent kidney complications.
Additional Types of Arthritis
A healthcare provider may also diagnose the following less common types of arthritis:
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: This form of arthritis can affect the joints, organs, and eyes. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a group of multiple diseases that lead to inflammation and overactivity in the immune system.
Reactive arthritis: Reactive arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that leads to gastrointestinal symptoms. This form of arthritis is most often caused by bacterial infections.
Ankylosing spondylitis: Those with ankylosing spondylitis experience chronic inflammation in the joints and ligaments in the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis can cause symptoms like pain and back stiffness.
Lupus: Lupus is a complex autoimmune condition that can lead to joint pain, headaches, light sensitivity, and kidney complications.
How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
After asking you questions about your medical history, a healthcare provider may recommend one of the following tests to determine if you have any of the types of arthritis mentioned:
Hematocrit (red blood cell count test)
Complete blood cell count test
White blood cell test
Rheumatoid factor antibody test
Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody test
Uric acid test
Antinuclear antibody test
What are Additional Options for Arthritis Treatment?
Generally, the main goal of arthritis treatment is to reduce joint inflammation and pain. Based on the severity of your symptoms, a healthcare provider may recommend OTC (over-the-counter) or prescription medications as part of your treatment plan. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetylsalicylate (Aspirin) and ibuprofen (Advil) may help reduce mild pain symptoms.
A healthcare provider may also recommend taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to help support bone strength. In addition to pain medications, a healthcare provider may also recommend getting a lot of physical activity to help keep joints and tendons healthy. Yoga, tai chi, and aerobic exercises can help keep your bones healthy and strong.
Stress management is another way to help reduce inflammation. Practicing mindfulness techniques like meditation and acupuncture may also help to relieve stress and muscle tension.
Where Can You Learn More About Living with Arthritis?
Managing arthritis can be challenging and often requires ongoing medical support. With LifeMD, you can consult with a licensed healthcare provider from the comfort of your home to get the support you need.
The LifeMD+ membership provides members with 24/7 access to expert guidance from licensed healthcare providers. LifeMD-affiliated healthcare providers can prescribe joint pain medications to those who qualify. Through the LifeMD+ membership, licensed healthcare providers can give instructions on how to properly use prescription joint pain medications and advice on how to manage arthritis flare-ups for just $19 a month.
Join today to take control of your arthritis symptoms.
LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.
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