What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is a complex condition that can be caused or exacerbated by a range of factors. Some of these you have no control over, while others may provide insights into how you can look after your joint health proactively.

In many cases, treatments can be different based on what causes your arthritis symptoms. However, pain management techniques – such as topical gels that help to relieve inflammation and swelling – can often be beneficial regardless of the root cause.

In this blog, we explore some of the biggest contributing factors of arthritis so you can better understand this condition.

What can cause arthritis?

As mentioned, arthritis can develop as a result of a combination of different factors. This is one reason why it affects people in varied ways and at different stages of life. What triggers arthritis in one person may not be the same for another, even if their symptoms appear similar.

The type of arthritis involved often plays an important role, as different forms of the condition are associated with different underlying processes. This can affect anything from the range of symptoms experienced to how and when the condition develops.

Below are some of the most common factors that contribute to arthritis.

Wear and tear

Throughout our lives, our daily activities put strain on our bodies – whether we’re sitting down all day or running a marathon. This strain causes wear and tear in our joints over time that can lead to pain and inflammation commonly associated with osteoarthritis.

The mechanics of this are simple. Our bones are cushioned with cartilage at the places where they come in contact with each other – the joints. This helps the bones to move smoothly and absorbs impacts, such as when we jump or run.

As our cartilage wears away, our joints may become less flexible and movement can feel stiff. Bones may start to rub more closely together, which can trigger pain and swelling. This process of wear and tear tends to build up slowly, which is why symptoms often develop gradually.

Wear-and-tear related arthritis is more common as people get older, as damage builds up over time and fails to heal quickly enough. However, everyday activities, physical demands and long-term joint stress can all contribute.

Joint injuries

Just as gradual wear and tear can damage the cartilage protecting our joints, so can injuries. In fact, joint injuries can increase the risk of developing arthritis later in life even after the initial injury has healed.

Damage caused by injuries such as fractures, ligament tears or cartilage damage can disrupt the normal structure and movement of a joint. When this happens, the joint may no longer function as smoothly as it should, leaving it vulnerable.

While not everyone with a joint injury will develop arthritis, it’s worth bearing in mind there’s a risk that acute (short-lived) damage could become something more prolonged.

Autoimmune damage

Some types of arthritis are known as ‘autoimmune conditions’ which means that they’re caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues within the body. Instead of protecting against infection, the immune system targets the lining of the joints, triggering ongoing inflammation.

Over time, repeated immune-driven inflammation can damage cartilage, bone and other surrounding tissues. This can make the cartilage wear away quicker, causing further pain and inflammation in the joints.

As damage worsens, movement can become more difficult and uncomfortable if the condition is not managed. Since the immune system is involved, this type of arthritis can also affect overall wellbeing, sometimes causing fatigue or affecting other organs.

Currently, it’s not known what triggers an autoimmune reaction like this, but this mechanism can lead to various conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Possible genetic impacts

As with many other medical conditions, your chances of developing arthritis may be at least partly influenced by genetics.

This isn’t to say that you’ll definitely get arthritis if someone in your family has had it – many people are in this situation and never develop symptoms themselves. But research suggests that some forms of arthritis may run in families, while others may be linked to a specific gene.

What this means is that your genes may make you more likely to end up with arthritis – and different genes may predispose you towards different types of the condition, which have varying symptoms and treatments.

However, scientists believe that arthritis is usually caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors – in other words, genes aren’t the whole picture.

Build up of uric acid

A build-up of uric acid in the body can lead to a form of arthritis known as gout.

Uric acid is a waste product made when the body breaks down certain substances. Normally, uric acid dissolves into the blood and is removed through the kidneys. However, if too much uric acid is produced or not enough is excreted, levels can rise.

When uric acid builds up, it can form into sharp crystals that gather in and around the joints – often in the big toe, but it can also be your finger, ankle or knee joints. These crystals irritate the joint lining, triggering sudden inflammation. In turn, this causes intense pain, swelling, redness and heat in the affected joint.

So what causes excess uric acid? Well, risk factors include:

• Some health conditions including chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes
• Genetics or a family history of gout
• Excess body weight
• A diet rich in alcohol, sugar, meat or seafood
• Some medicines such as diuretics
• Age.

It’s also been found that gout is more common in men and post-menopausal women, suggesting there may be a hormonal influence at play.

Other conditions

Some underlying health conditions can increase your risk of developing arthritis by affecting how the body manages inflammation, joint health or immune responses.

In some cases, health conditions are linked to chronic inflammation, which can spill over into the joints and trigger pain, swelling and stiffness. Others may affect circulation, metabolism or hormone balance, all of which can influence how joints are maintained and repaired.

In certain cases, the body’s immune response to an existing condition or illness may also mistakenly target joint tissues. This is sometimes known as reactive arthritis and can start weeks after the initial infection.

Long-term health conditions can also alter your movement patterns or physical activity levels. Reduced mobility or uneven joint use may place extra strain on certain joints, increasing wear and discomfort in these areas.

While not everyone with an underlying condition will develop arthritis, managing overall health and seeking appropriate medical support can help to reduce the impact on your joints and support long-term mobility and comfort.

Arthritis can develop for many different reasons, and understanding these broad influences can help to make sense of this common condition. With the right support and advice, many people are able to take positive steps towards proactively reducing their risk of joint damage over time.