5 Types of Arthritis You've Never Heard Of

Doctor reviewing an X-ray of a patient's joints

Illustration of hands and joints representing different types of arthritis

Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation," and the term is an umbrella that covers around 100 different conditions. Many people believe that arthritis is just one disease that you get once you are older, but that's just not true. Some types of arthritis are hereditary, some are autoimmune disorders, and some develop after trauma to the joint. You've probably heard of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even fibromyalgia, but there are various other arthritic conditions that don't get much attention. To spread more knowledge about these other conditions, we've compiled a list of 5 types of arthritis you've never heard of.

1. Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

GCA, also known as temporal arteritis, is inflammation of the blood vessels in which the walls of the medium-sized and large-sized arteries of the body become inflamed. This inflammation limits blood flow through the affected blood vessels, resulting in pain and, in rare cases, complications like vision loss. GCA most commonly affects the arteries of the scalp, head, neck, and arms.

2. Raynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon happens when the blood vessels that feed your fingers and toes constrict in reaction to cold or emotional stress. The body's normal reaction to extreme cold is to divert blood flow away from the extremities to keep the core warm, but in the case of Raynaud's phenomenon, the body decreases blood flow to the fingers and toes even in relatively mild cold. The same reaction may occur with emotional stress or excitement. People with this condition experience the following symptoms:

  • Extreme sensitivity to cold.
  • Skin color changes.
  • Warmth, tingling, and throbbing when blood flow returns.
  • Skin ulcers.

3. Still's Disease

Adult Still's Disease has similar characteristics to those of systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, except that it occurs in adults. The disease can go into remission or become chronic arthritis. Symptoms include:

  • Fever that spikes in the evenings.
  • Rash.
  • Muscle aches and joint pains.
  • Swollen glands.

4. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS)

RSDS involves a disturbance in the sympathetic nervous system, the network of nerves along the spinal cord. This nervous system controls certain bodily functions like opening and closing the blood vessels or sweat glands. This disorder primarily affects the hands and feet. There are three stages of RSDS that range from pain and stiffness, to swelling and muscle spasms, to eventual severe pain with reduced joint and muscle function.

5. Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis, previously known as Reiter's Syndrome, is an inflammatory type of arthritis that appears after an infection in another part of the body. The infections that lead to reactive arthritis normally occur in the urogenital tract or the intestinal tract. Although the bacteria from the infection do not move to other parts of the body, they do trigger reactions elsewhere. The symptoms of reactive arthritis generally last 3 to 12 months. The three classic symptoms of reactive arthritis are:

  • Inflammation of the joints (arthritis).
  • Inflammation of the urinary tract (urethritis).
  • Inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis).

If you or someone you know lives with any of these conditions, we hope this list has helped put a name to symptoms you may be experiencing. These are only 5 of the many types of arthritis out there. Each type has different symptoms, different care plans, and a different outlook, so talk with your doctor about what applies to you. One natural option many people add to their daily routine is a joint supplement, which is used to support everyday joint comfort, a healthy inflammatory response, and overall joint health. If you are unsure how to go about picking the right joint supplement for you, we can help.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement.