The Different Types of Arthritis and Body Parts Commonly Affected

Many factors determine which joints develop arthritis, such as the type of arthritis, your individual genetics, and the wear and tear on your joints. The most common joints affected by arthritis are the knees, hands, hips, feet, and lower back.¹

Hand and Wrist Arthritis

If your hands or wrists are stiff, painful, or tender, it could be arthritis. Hand and wrist joints are among some of the most common joints affected by many forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriatic arthritis.

Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis can make your knees stiff and swollen, making it difficult to bend and straighten your knees. Your symptoms may be worse after you’ve been sitting or resting. Your symptoms could flare up after overdoing activities like jumping or squats that require bending at your knees.

Finger and Thumb Arthritis

Arthritis symptoms can affect the base of your thumb, knuckles, and finger joints. Over time, arthritis can cause bony knots or nodes to form on your joints.

In psoriatic arthritis—a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints, skin, and nails—symptoms can include swollen fingers or fingernail changes.

Hip Arthritis

Hip arthritis symptoms can feel like pain, stiffness, or weakness in the hip, groin, or outer thigh area. You may hear joint noises or sounds called crepitus when you move your hip.

The cause of hip arthritis can vary depending on the type. It can affect your mobility and range of motion.

Arm and Shoulder Arthritis

Your shoulder and elbow joints can develop arthritis caused by inflammation or wear and tear. Symptoms like pain, stiffness, or grinding can make it challenging to use your full range of motion.

Repetitive motions you do over and over can cause joint wear and tear, like swinging a golf club or using a garden tool.

Ankle and Foot Arthritis

The many joints in your ankles and feet can be susceptible to arthritis. If you have arthritis in your foot joints or ankles, your range of motion may be limited.

Your symptoms may make it difficult to walk or be on your feet.

Arthritis in Big Toe

With arthritis of the big toe, also called hallux rigidus, your toe’s range of motion decreases over time, and standing or walking may be difficult or uncomfortable. Arthritis of the big toe is one of the most common types of arthritis that affects the foot. Over time, some people develop a bunion or callus on top of their foot.²

Arthritis in Lower Back

If you have lower back pain, it may be caused by arthritis. Lower back arthritis can lead to inflexibility in your spine, making it difficult to straighten your back or turn your neck.

No matter which of your joints are experiencing symptoms, there are many arthritis pain relief options which can help ease your discomfort. With acetaminophen as an active ingredient, TYLENOL® 8 HR Arthritis Pain provides fast-acting, temporary relief of minor pain of arthritis.