Arthritis at its most basic is an inflammation around a joint. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 data, some form of arthritis afflicts approximately 19 million people, the most of any disability type, in the United States. Osteoarthritis, which affects the bone, and rheumatoid arthritis, which also may involve the fluids and immune system, are the two most publicized types of arthritis. However, numerous other types of arthritis, though rare, still cause much damage and pain in sufferers.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of joint pain and inflammation that is linked to genetics and a hyperactive immune system. This type of arthritis is primarily diagnosed by exclusion of other arthritis types and by the presence of psoriasis (a plaque-like skin disorder) on the skin before joints are affected. Other symptoms include limited range of motion and changes to the fingernails.
Juvenile Arthritis
Juvenile arthritis is, like it sounds, arthritis in people younger than 18 years of age. It too causes joint pain, swelling and limited range of motion. However, an additional consequence of the disease is impaired bone growth that could even reduce a person's overall height. Although juvenile arthritis is typically rheumatoid like, even rarer examples include juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis.
Gouty Arthritis
A third type of unusual arthritis actually begins with gout, which is a rheumatic disorder that allows uric acid to build up in joint tissues. Although an episode of acute gout itself is common, chronic gouty arthritis is more unusual. This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals from acute gout repeatedly build up in a joint to cause breakdown of the tissue, continued swelling and loss of motion in that joint. Instead of continued progression, chronic gouty arthritis improves and worsens over time but continues to expand the joint breakdown.
