What is arthritis?
Arthritis describes a group of conditions that affect joints and nearby tissues. It often causes pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness, and reduced mobility. Some types develop gradually with age or joint wear, while others involve inflammatory or autoimmune processes that can affect several joints and sometimes other body systems.
What are the main types of arthritis?
The main types of arthritis usually fall into two broad groups: osteoarthritis and degenerative joint conditions, and inflammatory arthritis conditions. Both can cause pain and stiffness, but they often behave differently and may need different treatment approaches.
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis?
Osteoarthritis usually develops when joint cartilage and supporting structures change over time. Inflammatory arthritis is different. It involves immune-driven joint irritation, often with morning stiffness, swelling, fatigue, and flare-ups. A rheumatology physiotherapist, GP, or rheumatologist can help clarify the pattern and guide the next steps.
Quick comparison of common arthritis conditions
If you want a fast summary, these are the main differences between the most common arthritis conditions.
| Condition | Typical pattern | Common areas | Key signs |
| Osteoarthritis | Degenerative or wear-related | Knees, hips, hands, spine | Activity pain, stiffness, reduced movement |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Autoimmune and inflammatory | Hands, wrists, feet, multiple joints | Morning stiffness, swelling, fatigue |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | Inflammatory | Fingers, toes, spine, larger joints | Joint pain plus psoriasis-related features |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | Inflammatory spinal arthritis | Spine, pelvis, chest wall | Persistent back stiffness, especially in the morning |
| Lupus | Autoimmune and systemic | Multiple joints and body systems | Joint pain, fatigue, broader symptoms |
| Fibromyalgia | Pain sensitisation condition | Widespread body pain | Widespread pain, fatigue, sensitivity |
Common arthritis conditions
The most common arthritis-related conditions on PhysioWorks fall into two broad groups: inflammatory arthritis conditions and osteoarthritis-related conditions. Some spinal and peripheral joint problems also sit within this broader arthritis cluster.
Inflammatory arthritis and related conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – an autoimmune condition that commonly affects smaller joints first and may cause swelling, morning stiffness, and fatigue.
- Psoriatic Arthritis – an inflammatory arthritis linked with psoriasis that may affect the fingers, toes, spine, or larger joints.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis – an inflammatory spinal arthritis that often causes persistent back stiffness, especially in the morning.
- Lupus – a complex autoimmune condition that may cause joint pain, fatigue, and broader systemic symptoms.
- Fibromyalgia – not a true arthritis, but it is often grouped with rheumatology conditions because it can cause widespread pain, fatigue, and sensitivity.
Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint conditions
- Osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis, often linked with joint stiffness, reduced movement, and activity-related pain.
- Spondylosis – arthritic change in the spine that can contribute to neck pain or back pain.
- Degenerative Disc Disease – age-related disc change that may contribute to spinal stiffness and load-related pain.
- Spinal Stenosis – narrowing around the spinal canal that can cause pain, tingling, or walking limitation.
- Osteoporosis & Osteopenia – bone density conditions that are not arthritis, but are often discussed alongside age-related joint change because they affect long-term musculoskeletal health.
Which joints are most commonly affected by arthritis?
Arthritis can affect almost any joint, but some patterns are more common. Osteoarthritis often affects load-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and spine, while inflammatory arthritis may affect the hands, feet, wrists, or several joints at once. These pages can help if you want joint-specific information:
Spinal arthritis conditions
Peripheral joint arthritis conditions
How can physiotherapy help arthritis?
Physiotherapy may help you move more comfortably, improve joint confidence, and build strength around painful joints. Treatment often includes education, flare-up planning, mobility work, strengthening, and guidance on returning to walking, work, exercise, or sport. For hip and knee osteoarthritis, structured exercise programs such as the GLA:D® Australia Program can also be helpful.
Targeted exercises and simple movement coaching can improve strength, mobility, and confidence with arthritis.
Good arthritis care is not only about pain relief. It is also about load management, pacing, and choosing the right amount of activity for your current stage. That may mean building gradually, modifying aggravating tasks, spacing out heavier loads, and learning how to stay active without repeatedly flaring your symptoms.
If your symptoms fit an inflammatory pattern, a rheumatology physiotherapist may work alongside your GP and rheumatologist. If your main concern is day-to-day aching or stiffness, you may also find our joint pain relief page useful.
If you want public health information about arthritis and related symptoms, Healthdirect also offers a helpful overview of arthritis.
When should you seek help for arthritis symptoms?
You should seek help if joint pain, stiffness, or swelling lasts longer than expected, limits walking or sleep, or keeps returning. Early review is also wise if you notice morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, joint warmth, repeated flare-ups, or symptoms affecting several joints at once.
Prompt medical review matters if you have rapid swelling, unexplained weight loss, fever, severe night pain, or sudden loss of function. These features may suggest something more urgent than simple joint wear.
