Arthritis is a painful condition that affects the joints of the body. People can experience it in one or more joints, with the primary symptoms being stiffness and pain in the joint or surrounding area, which typically gets worse with age. Arthritis has two common types, with different causes but similar symptoms – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A confirmed arthritis diagnosis will need to come from a trained medical professional, such as your primary care physician or a pain management specialist. Many people may suspect they have arthritis due to chronic pain or stiffness in the joints, as well as redness and swelling in the joint.   To confirm an arthritis diagnosis, your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for visible signs of a problem, and will also test the movement of the affected or sore joints to see how they move and when the pain happens. Imaging tests can also be done to show exactly what is causing the pain, including x-rays, CT scans, MRI’s or ultrasounds on the affected joint. And finally, your doctor can perform laboratory tests, which will pinpoint what type of arthritis a person has.