Video:Arthritis-Related Joint Diseases

Transcript:Arthritis-Related Joint Diseases

Hi, I'm Dr. Anca Askanase, I'm a rheumatologist at the NYU Langone Medical Center for About.com. In this video, I will be discussing about some of the many symptoms that may cause arthritis symptoms. Broadly, there are two main types of arthritis -- inflammatory, and non-inflammatory arthritis. Here are some basic differences between osteoarthritis, the non-inflammatory arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

With rheumatoid arthritis, we simply do not know exactly what the causes are. However, the cause is believed to be a combination of autoimmune factors, genetic factors, and environmental factors. While the environmental factors are unknown, for some diseases they are postulated sunlight, or a virus, as in the case of Lupus, or bacteria, for a rare disease called reactive arthritis.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

For osteoarthritis, it is sort of a similar story. We cannot exactly pin down what the cause of osteoarthritis is. Two things are clear, however. There is a strong genetic component, and trauma to the joints can play a big role. Case studies of Gulf War veterans that have sustained injury to their joints suggest that they develop osteoarthritis at an early age.

Differences Between Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis

Sometimes, making the distinction between the two main types of arthritis can even be difficult. Differentiating between inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis can be difficult because the two can overlap and co-exist. Tests can help, but there is a lot of individual variability. The prevalence of individual variability, and the overlap between the two types of arthritis, can make treating arthritis, and managing arthritis more of an art. A good relationship with your doctor is key to managing this chronic disease.

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