With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away. This is considered arthritis. There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis, with many different possible causes. Osteoarthritis is the most common variety of arthritis in the United States. Gout , seen most often in males over 40 years old, causes the formation of crystals in the joints, with subsequent inflammation.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that causes a so-called infectious arthritis.
Autoimmune disorders , such as rheumatoid arthritis , lupus, and scleroderma, can cause arthritis as well. Arthritis can occur in males and females of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people. In people over 55 years of age, women are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. Other risk factors for osteoarthritis are obesity, a history of trauma, and various genetic and metabolic diseases.