If joint pain is slowing you down or getting worse, it's worth talking with us, especially severe pain lasting over a week, worsening stiffness, new flare-ups, pain that sticks around after rest, or joints that turn red, hot, or click when you move. The right treatment depends on the type, so diagnosis matters.

There are over 150 types of arthritis, from disease, infection, injury, overuse, or genetics. Osteoarthritis is the most common, wearing down cartilage in knees, hips, and spine. Rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis are autoimmune, and psoriatic arthritis inflames skin and joints. Pinning down your type is the first step toward the right plan.

While your parents may have told you cracking your knuckles could cause arthritis, it’s more likely they were just annoyed by the noise. After all, there is no real evidence that knuckle cracking causes arthritis. If you feel pain when cracking your knuckles, you may have an abnormality in the structure of the joint, like loose cartilage or injured ligaments. Seek medical attention if you have severe pain or pain that doesn’t resolve after a day or two when cracking your knuckles.

As of today, there is no cure for arthritis, but with the proper treatment plan and lifestyle modifications, you can reduce the pain and discomfort associated with it. In addition, the Arthritis Society has funded scientists working toward permanent solutions that may one day give us a future without arthritis.

Yes. If you have arthritis, it’s important to keep exercising. Regular activity can help strengthen the muscles around your joints, which can support and protect them. Remember, it’s normal to feel sore at first, and it’s important to note that you’re not making your joints any worse, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while. While past sports injuries might increase the risk of osteoarthritis in a specific joint, it’s not caused by exercising too much.

If left untreated, some forms of advanced arthritis can eventually be life-threatening. But even if arthritis isn’t severe, it can disrupt your quality of life, especially if undiagnosed or untreated for long periods of time. That’s why it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor and devise a treatment plan as soon as possible, especially if you have a form of inflammatory arthritis.

While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for arthritis, there are several treatments that can help ease some of your discomfort, including analgesics, medications, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and even surgery. It’s best to talk with a physician to determine the best arthritis pain relief treatment for you.