The two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis happens when the protective cartilage in your joints wears down over time. This is the most common type — it develops slowly, usually after age 50, though it can start earlier if you've injured a joint. You'll notice stiffness and pain that gets worse with activity and improves with rest.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different. Your immune system attacks the lining of your joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. It can start at any age and often affects both sides of your body at once — both hands, both knees. It tends to come on faster than osteoarthritis and can make you feel tired and feverish.

These two types need different treatments, so knowing which one you have matters. Your doctor can tell them apart with blood tests and X-rays.

Key Takeaways

  • Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear damage to cartilage that usually develops slowly after age 50 and causes pain worse with activity.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks joint linings, causing swelling and fatigue that can start at any age.
  • Gout, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis are less common types, each with different causes and patterns of joint involvement.
  • A blood test and imaging can help your doctor identify which type you have, which determines what treatment will work best.

Gout: sudden severe pain from uric acid buildup

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals forming in your joints. It usually strikes suddenly — often at night — with intense pain, redness, and swelling, most commonly in the big toe. The attack may last days or weeks, then disappear completely until the next one.

Gout happens when uric acid levels in your blood get too high. This can run in families, and certain foods (red meat, organ meats, seafood, alcohol) and some medications can trigger it. Men are more likely to get gout than women, especially after age 40.

Unlike osteoarthritis, gout attacks are episodic — you may feel fine between flare-ups. Your doctor can confirm gout by testing fluid from the affected joint or measuring uric acid in your blood.

Lupus and psoriatic arthritis: autoimmune types that affect other parts of your body

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease that can affect your joints, skin, kidneys, and heart. Joint pain and swelling are often the first signs, but you may also develop a butterfly-shaped rash on your face, mouth sores, or extreme fatigue. Lupus is more common in women and people of color.

Psoriatic arthritis develops in some people who have psoriasis, a skin condition with red, scaly patches. The arthritis can show up before, during, or after the skin symptoms appear. It often affects the joints at the ends of your fingers and toes, and can cause nail changes and eye inflammation.

Both lupus and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune conditions, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues. They require different medications than osteoarthritis and need close monitoring by a rheumatologist.

Other types: ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and septic arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints (where your spine connects to your pelvis). Over time, vertebrae can fuse together, limiting movement. It's more common in men and often runs in families. You may feel stiffness in your lower back that improves with activity, unlike osteoarthritis pain.

Reactive arthritis develops after a bacterial infection elsewhere in your body — often in the digestive tract or urinary tract. The joint pain usually starts one to three weeks after the infection and can last weeks or months. It's more common in men.

Septic arthritis is a medical emergency. A bacterial or fungal infection enters the joint directly, causing sudden severe pain, swelling, fever, and chills. This requires when ready treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medication to prevent permanent joint damage.

How your doctor tells the difference

Your doctor will ask about when the pain started, which joints hurt, whether you have swelling or redness, and what makes it better or worse. They'll examine your joints and may order blood tests to look for markers of autoimmune disease, uric acid levels, or signs of infection.

X-rays or ultrasound can show cartilage damage, bone changes, or fluid in the joint. In some cases, your doctor may take a sample of fluid from the joint using a needle — this can reveal uric acid crystals (gout), bacteria (septic arthritis), or other clues about what's happening.

Getting the right diagnosis matters because treatments differ. Anti-inflammatory medications help osteoarthritis and gout, but rheumatoid arthritis and lupus need disease-modifying drugs that calm the immune system. Starting the right treatment early can slow damage and keep you moving.

What to watch for and when to call your doctor

Contact your doctor if you have joint pain lasting more than two weeks, swelling that doesn't improve with rest and ice, or stiffness that's worst in the morning and lasts more than an hour. Also call if you develop a rash along with joint pain, or if you have a fever with sudden severe joint swelling.

Seek when ready care if a joint is hot, very swollen, and you have a fever — these are signs of septic arthritis. Also go to the emergency room if you cannot move a joint or bear weight on it.

Once you know what type of arthritis you have, your doctor can discuss treatment options and what to expect. Different types progress differently, and early treatment often makes a real difference in how well you function over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have more than one type of arthritis at the same time?

Yes. Some people develop osteoarthritis in their knees and gout in their feet, for example. Others may have rheumatoid arthritis and later develop gout. Your doctor can help manage multiple types, though the treatment plan may need to address each one.

Is arthritis always permanent?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are chronic — they don't go away. However, gout attacks come and go, and reactive arthritis may resolve on its own after weeks or months. Septic arthritis can be cured with antibiotics if caught early, but delayed treatment can cause permanent damage.

Does arthritis run in families?

Some types do. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis all have genetic links, so your risk is higher if a parent or sibling has one. Lupus and psoriatic arthritis also run in families. Having a family history doesn't mean you'll definitely develop arthritis, but it's worth mentioning to your doctor.

What's the difference between arthritis pain and normal joint pain?

Arthritis pain is usually persistent, happens in multiple joints, and may be accompanied by swelling, stiffness, or warmth. Normal joint pain from overuse typically affects one area, improves with rest, and doesn't cause swelling or stiffness. If pain lasts more than two weeks or spreads to other joints, see your doctor.

Can you prevent arthritis?

You can't prevent autoimmune types like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. For osteoarthritis, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and protecting joints from injury may delay onset. For gout, limiting purine-rich foods and alcohol can reduce attacks. There's no way to prevent all types, but early treatment slows progression.