Q8. What causes arthritis?

A8. The causes of arthritis are in many ways, largely unknown. Theories include genetic factors such as inheriting a tendency towards arthritis, e.g. nodal osteoarthritis, viral infection, autoimmune disease, e.g. lupus and general wear and tear.

Arthritis often occurs following a sports injury, an accident or repeated trauma to a joint.

Most forms of arthritis are not genetic in origin. That means that you are not likely to develop them as a result of a gene passed down in your family.

So, if someone in your family has arthritis then you may be at greater risk of developing this but other factors have to be taken into account. You may develop arthritis due to any of the reasons mentioned in the first paragraph.

Find out more in either our risk factors for arthritis or causes of arthritis sections.

Arthritis FAQs:

Arthritis FAQs

• Q1. What is arthritis?
• Q2. How common is arthritis?
• Q3. Does arthritis only affect older people?
• Q4. Why do many more women than men get arthritis?
• Q5. How many types of arthritis are there?
• Q6. What is the most common type of arthritis?
• Q7. Which joints are most likely to be affected by arthritis?
• Q8. What causes arthritis?
• Q9. What are the signs of arthritis?
• Q10. How is arthritis diagnosed?

• Q11. How is arthritis treated?
• Q12. What are anti-inflammatories?
• Q13. How do steroids work?
• Q14. What are disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs?
• Q15. What is methotrexate?
• Q16. What are anti-TNF drugs?
• Q17. What is Prednisolone?
• Q18. How do you cope with arthritis?
• Q19. Can you inherit an arthritis gene?
• Q20. Is there a cure for arthritis?