Types of Arthritis

Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

Is my joint pain just getting older, or could it be arthritis?

It is a fair question. The short answer is: arthritis is not one condition, and it is not simply a normal part of ageing. It is a group of more than 100 conditions that can affect joints, movement and, for some people, other parts of the body.¹⁻³

In Australia, arthritis is common. About 3.7 million people were estimated to be living with arthritis, excluding gout, in 2022.¹ The good news is that the right diagnosis and care plan can help reduce symptoms, protect movement and support day-to-day life.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis affects joints: the places where two bones meet. Common signs include pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, redness and reduced movement.² Symptoms can be mild, severe, short-lived or ongoing. They may affect one joint or many joints.

Some forms mostly affect joints. Others can involve the skin, eyes, spine, bowel or general wellbeing. Fatigue is also common, especially with inflammatory types of arthritis.²

The main types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in Australia.¹ It can affect the whole joint, including cartilage, bone, ligaments and muscles.³ It is sometimes called “wear and tear”, but that wording can be misleading. Osteoarthritis is better understood as a condition where the joint is working hard to repair itself after stress, injury or change over time.³

It often affects knees, hips, hands, feet and the spine. Pain may be worse during or after activity, with stiffness after rest. Keeping active, strengthening muscles and learning joint-friendly ways to move can all help.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. This means the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of joints, causing inflammation, pain and swelling.³,⁴ It often affects smaller joints such as hands, wrists and feet, and commonly appears on both sides of the body.

Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour, warm swollen joints and fatigue can be warning signs. Early treatment matters because medicines can reduce inflammation and help limit long-term joint damage.⁴

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis linked with psoriasis, a skin condition.³ It can cause painful, stiff or swollen joints, swollen fingers or toes, tendon pain, back pain and nail changes.³ Not everyone with psoriasis develops psoriatic arthritis, but new joint symptoms should be checked.

Gout

Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals forming in and around a joint.³ It often comes on suddenly, sometimes overnight. The joint may become red, swollen, hot and extremely tender. The big toe is common, but gout can affect other joints too. Treatment can help relieve flare-ups and reduce the chance of future attacks.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spine and pelvis.³ It can cause ongoing lower back or buttock pain, morning stiffness and reduced spinal flexibility. Symptoms often improve with movement rather than rest. It can also affect areas such as the eyes, bowel, hips or shoulders.³

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually starts with your GP asking about your symptoms, medical history and how your joints affect daily life. They may check swelling, tenderness, warmth, movement and function.²

Depending on your symptoms, tests may include blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or joint fluid testing.²,⁴ The type of arthritis matters because treatments differ. A sudden red, hot, swollen joint needs prompt medical advice, especially if you feel unwell.

What helps arthritis day to day?

Arthritis care is usually a mix of medical treatment, movement, self-management and support.

Medication may include pain relief, anti-inflammatory medicines, medicines for gout, or disease-modifying medicines for inflammatory arthritis.²,⁴ Always talk with your GP or pharmacist before starting or changing medicines, especially if you have other health conditions.

Movement is one of the most helpful tools for many people with arthritis. Exercise can reduce pain and stiffness, improve strength, support joint mobility, improve sleep, help balance and support mood.⁵ The best option is one you can do safely and keep doing. Walking, water exercise, tai chi, cycling, strength exercises and stretching may all help. A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can tailor activity to your joints, symptoms and goals.

Pacing can also make a difference. This means balancing activity and rest before symptoms build too much. Breaking tasks into smaller parts, using supportive footwear, planning heavier jobs for better times of day, and using heat or cold packs may help.

Food will not “cure” arthritis, but eating well can support your overall health. A dietitian can help if symptoms, medicines, gout, heart health or other conditions make food choices more complex.

When should you seek help?

See your GP if you have joint pain or swelling that does not settle, morning stiffness lasting several weeks, reduced movement, repeated flare-ups, unexplained fatigue with joint symptoms, or back pain and stiffness that improves with movement.²,³ Getting help early can make management easier.

Your care team may include your GP, rheumatologist, physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, podiatrist and dietitian. The right team depends on the type of arthritis and what matters most to you.

How Westfund may support you

To find out whether you may be eligible for the following programs*, check your cover with Westfund or speak to the team directly – call 1300 937 838.

Healthy Weight for Life. Healthy Weight for Life is available to eligible Westfund members with hospital cover who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. For osteoarthritis, the program may help reduce pressure on affected joints, support mobility and improve confidence with everyday activity, while providing structured support for long-term health and wellbeing.

Westfund Extras cover - Westfund members with Extras cover may be able to access benefits for health services that support osteoarthritis management, such as physiotherapy, exercise physiology, podiatry or other allied health services, depending on their level of cover. These services can help members manage symptoms, stay active and maintain independence.

Kieser. Kieser’s strength-based programs may help members with osteoarthritis improve joint support, mobility and function. This can help reduce pain, support confidence with movement, and may assist members to delay or avoid surgery where clinically appropriate.

Key takeaways

Arthritis is not one condition. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and ankylosing spondylitis each have different causes and treatments. Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, heat or reduced movement should not be ignored. Early diagnosis, safe movement, the right care team and a personalised plan can help you keep doing more of what matters.

The information provided is general in nature and does not replace professional medical advice.

*Annual limits, waiting periods and eligibility criteria apply. Benefits and programs are subject to your level of cover. Please refer to your Policy Summary or check your Extras limits via Members Online or the Westfund app for full details.

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions: arthritis. Canberra: AIHW; 2024. [aihw.gov.au]

2. Healthdirect Australia. Arthritis: causes, symptoms and treatment. Canberra: Australian Government. [healthdirect.gov.au]

3. Arthritis Australia. Types of arthritis. Sydney: Arthritis Australia. [arthritisa...lia.com.au]

4. Healthdirect Australia. Rheumatoid arthritis: symptoms, causes and treatments. Canberra: Australian Government. [healthdirect.gov.au]

5. Better Health Channel. Arthritis and exercise. Melbourne: State Government of Victoria. [betterheal...vic.gov.au]