Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteo-arthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that first targets the lining of joints (synovium).

Uric acid crystals, infections or underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus, can cause other types of arthritis.  

SYMPTOMS

The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints:  

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased range of motion 

CAUSES

The two main types of arthritis — osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — damage joints in different ways.

Osteo-arthritis

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage to your joint’s cartilage — the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones. Enough damage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years, or it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection.

Rheumatoid arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, a tough membrane that encloses all the joint parts. This lining, known as the synovial membrane, becomes inflamed and swollen. The disease process can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint. 

Risk factors

• Family history: Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if the parents or siblings have the disorder. Genes can make one more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
• Age: The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.
• Sex: Women are more likely than are men to develop osteo-arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.
• Previous joint injury: People, who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
• Obesity: Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis. 

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Aconitum: Used in people who are very restless, anxious and has fear of death.

Apis mellifica: This remedy is useful in patients with swelling on joints.

Rhus tox: Rhus tox is a common Homoeopathic remedy used for treatment of pain in arthritis. It is used in people in whom pain worsens on rest but improves on continuous movement.

Bryonia alba: Bryonia is another important drug for management of pain. It functions opposite to Rhus tox. In Bryonia pain improves on rest but worsens on movement.

Pulsatilla nigricans: This is an effective remedy for arthritis in women, weeping with pain. Pain shifts from one joint to another joint.