The most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

It is a chronic autoimmune disease. It causes inflammation, swelling, and pain in and around the joints and can affect other body organs. RA usually affects the hands and feet first, but it can occur in any joint.

It’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints, most often in the big toe. An attack of gout can occur suddenly, often waking you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big toe is on fire.