What is the most common type of arthritis?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Rheumatoid arthritis
• C. Acute Arthritis
• D. Chronic Arthritis

Answer: (A)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It’s a degenerative, wear-and-tear condition of the joints that develops with aging and repeated joint use. As the cartilage that cushions joints wears down, bones can rub together, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, especially in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips and in the hands. Because aging populations and factors such as obesity increase joint stress, osteoarthritis becomes the predominant arthritis seen in the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis, by contrast, is an autoimmune inflammatory disease and, while serious, affects fewer people. Terms like acute arthritis or chronic arthritis describe patterns or durations of joint problems rather than a single disease, so they don’t identify the most common condition.