Though less common, early-onset arthritis is treatable

Early-onsetarthritisis joint disease that strikes earlier in life than is typical.

What that age is depends on the key in of arthritis.

All forms of juvenile arthritis are considered early-onset.

Girl holding her elbow

MonakoArtStudio / Getty Images

The symptoms of early-onset arthritis are the same as for any case of arthritis.

A notable difference, however, is that people early-onset must live with them longer.

This article discusses early-onset arthritis, including types, age of onset, and common symptoms.

It also details how different types of early-onset arthritis are diagnosed and treated.

MonakoArtStudio / Getty Images

Types of Early-Onset Arthritis

Like arthritis, early-onset arthritis comes in many forms.

What’s considered “early” depends on the specific punch in of arthritis.

Some typically develop earlier than others.

The typical age range for RA diagnosis is between 30 and 50.Before 30, it’s considered early onset.

In RA, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake.

The explosive polyarticular onset and palindromic rheumatism are less common than this.

Symptoms tend to occur gradually and get worse over time.

Some common early symptoms are:

Why Is Early Diagnosis Important?

you’re free to also delay the progression of OA by getting diagnosed and treated early.

If you experience any symptoms of OA, it is important to see a healthcare provider.

A small percentage of those with psoriatic arthritis develop joint symptoms before the skin lesions.

People typically develop psoriatic arthritis between 30 and 40 years old.

Early-onset is before age 30.

Before 17 would officially be early onset, but it may still be considered early in young adults.

Arthritis is one of the most common ways for lupus to show itself.

The signs of lupus include:

Lupus is most often diagnosed in people between 15 and 45.

Before 15 would be early onset.

All juvenile arthritis is early onset.

However, any physical damage to the joint will remain.

Diagnosis of early onset arthritis is similar for each throw in of arthritis.

People who are diagnosed with any form of arthritis earlier can prevent their condition from worsening over the years.

More advanced disease is not.

Autoimmune forms of arthritis are manageable but not reversible.

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms.

Felson DT, Hodgson R.Identifying and treating preclinical and early osteoarthritis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am.

2014;40(4):699-710. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.012

Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Psoriatic arthritis signs and symptoms.

Spondylitis Association of America.Most common symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childhood arthritis.

Arthritis Foundation.Do I have arthritis?

Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis self-management: what you oughta know.

Arthritis Foundation.Managing emotions and arthritis.