Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Types of osteoarthritis by cause and joint, and how it differs from inflammatory arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is grouped in several ways. Knowing the type helps doctors plan care.
By cause
By joint
By pattern
Ayurvedic view
Classical texts describe Sandhigata Vata as the main joint condition. Related terms include Vatarakta and Amavata, which are different conditions. Amavata is closer to inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and needs a proper diagnosis. This is an interpretive framework.
See a doctor if several joints are swollen and stiff for over an hour each morning. That pattern suggests inflammatory arthritis rather than osteoarthritis.
When to get help
Book a visit with your doctor or an orthopaedic or rheumatology clinic if joint pain keeps returning, limits walking, stairs or sleep, or if you are unsure which treatments are safe with your other medicines. Early advice often avoids unnecessary scans, tablets and bed rest, and lets you start the right exercise plan sooner.
Remember
The type decides the plan. A clinical exam and, where needed, X-rays or blood tests confirm it.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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