| Arthritis is caused by many things, some we know | | | | into the joint, or an infection that travels from another |
| about and some we don't. Some of the factors that | | | | area of the body. |
| scientists know contribute to joint stiffness, pain and | | | | Heredity |
| swelling are: | | | | Like many things, arthritis is more common in people |
| Overusing a Joint | | | | whose close relatives have experienced arthritis. |
| When a joint or a set of joints are used repeatedly in | | | | Scientists have discovered some genetic markers that |
| the same way, there's a greater chance that you'll | | | | are linked to certain types of arthritis. If you have these |
| develop arthritis in that joint. Tennis elbow is essentially | | | | genetic markers, you are more susceptible to |
| arthritis in the elbow. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs | | | | developing arthritis, but you may also get lucky. |
| when someone uses the joints in the hands and | | | | Age |
| fingers in the same repetitive motion day after day. | | | | Cartilage can wear down over time. Bones can break |
| Knees and ankles are susceptible in people who run, | | | | down with age. As you get older you're more likely to |
| dance or skate a lot. | | | | experience joint pain and stiffness, especially |
| Injury | | | | osteoarthritis. |
| Injury to a joint increases the odds that you can | | | | Tumor necrosis factor |
| develop arthritis in that joint. | | | | The body produces a substance called TNF that |
| Infection | | | | causes inflammation. Scientist have found that drugs |
| Fungi, bacteria and viruses cause or trigger some | | | | that counteract the effects of TNF often help in |
| forms of arthritis in susceptible people. A virus may | | | | managing the symptoms of arthritis. This leads them to |
| trigger rheumatoid arthritis in people with a certain | | | | believe that TNF may play a part in the development |
| genetic marker. People can develop infectious arthritis | | | | of some types of arthritis. |
| after trauma, surgery, bone infection, a needle inserted | | | | |