An arthritis joint will demonstrate narrowing of the space between the bones as the cartilage thins,
Specifically, an X-ray of a joint with osteoarthritis will show a narrowing of the space between the bones of the joint where the cartilage has worn away, as shown in the image below. Anteroposterior (front to back) X-ray image of the knee showing osteoarthritis.
Those with advanced stage OA will experience pain, swelling, and stiffness at the affected joint. People will also have difficulty moving the affected joint. A 2022 article notes that a person with advanced stage OA will experience a dull, constant, aching pain.
Osteoarthritis has often been referred to as a wear and tear disease. But besides the breakdown of cartilage, osteoarthritis affects the entire joint. It causes changes in the bone and deterioration of the connective tissues that hold the joint together and attach muscle to bone.
Walking is one of the most important things you can do if you have arthritis. It helps you lose weight or maintain the proper weight. That, in turn, lessens stress on joints and improves arthritis symptoms.
There is no cure for OA, but medication, assistive devices and other therapies that don't involve drugs can help to ease pain. As a last resort, a damaged joint may be surgically fused or replaced with one made of a combination of metal, plastic and/or ceramic.
With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes usually develop slowly and get worse over time. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Gout is an extremely painful type of arthritis caused by a buildup, overflow and/or inability to process uric acid.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lifespan
In the study, the median survival rate for healthy adults was approximately 82 years while the median survival rate for people with RA was approximately 77 years.
As your joint tissue degrades, inflammatory processes increase and more pressure is placed directly onto the bones. Pain becomes more common during simple activities like walking or rising from a chair. Eventually, the bone on bone pressure causes the growth of bone spurs.
There are however several options to ease the symptoms including therapy, surgery, and injections. As with most conditions, treatment begins with the least invasive. Doctors often recommend over-the-counter pain medication, or physical therapy to ease pain and exercise the remaining cartilage.
Many people who have arthritis or a related disease may be living with chronic pain. Pain is chronic when it lasts three to six months or longer, but arthritis pain can last a lifetime. It may be constant, or it may come and go.
Imaging Tests
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound may help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages of the disease. In addition, these imaging tests can help evaluate the amount of damage in the joints and the severity of the disease.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.
RA is symmetrical, where a patient feels symptoms in the same spot on both sides of the body, often in the joints in the feet and hands. Osteoarthritis, in contrast, begins in an isolated joint, often in the knee, fingers, hands, spine and hips. While both sides may hurt, one side is more painful.
Most forms of arthritis are thought to be caused by a fault in the immune system that causes the body to attack its own tissues in the joints. This may be inherited genetically. Other forms of arthritis can be caused by problems with the immune system or by a metabolic condition, such as gout.
Without this cushion, bone can rub against bone. That may cause pain and swelling. Being overweight could make the symptoms worse. Experts generally advise adults who are overweight or obese to lose at least 10% of their weight to reduce symptoms of knee arthritis.
Warning Signs
Pain may be in one part of the body or in many different parts. Some types of arthritis cause the skin over the affected joint to become red and swollen, feeling warm to the touch. Swelling that lasts for three days or longer or occurs more than three times a month should prompt a visit to the doctor.
If you have arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve your arthritis pain, function, mood, and quality of life. Joint-friendly physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury.
The SSA has a list of disabling conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and pseudogout. Evaluation is based largely on how your condition impairs your ability to function, so you may be eligible even if your specific condition isn't listed.
Examples of aerobic exercises that are easy on joints include walking, bicycling, swimming and water aerobics. Try to work up to 150 minutes of somewhat hard aerobic exercise every week. You can exercise 10 minutes at a time if that's easier on your joints.