During the past few weeks, the pain has increased so much that I have difficulty walking. Some of my friends have gotten shots with mixed results in their knees. I am 73, and otherwise in good health. I would appreciate your advice. Many disorders cause pain and swelling in and around the joints, including osteoarthritis, lupus, gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis is a very general term that simply means that a joint is inflamed.
This inflammation can be caused by infection, toxins, attack from the immune system or trauma. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of joint disease, affecting at least 20 million adults in this country. This form of arthritis is probably what your doctor thinks you have. This condition is not to be confused with rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic inflammation that affects most tissues of the body but causes most problems in the joints. With rheumatoid arthritis, joint inflammation is present and characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, etc.