Arthritis Symptoms What Is the Difference Between Arthritis and Arthralgia? By Lana Bandoim facebook twitter linkedin Lana Bandoim is a science writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering complex health topics. Learn about our editorial process Lana Bandoim Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD on January 17, 2021 linkedin Grant Hughes, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He is an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the head of rheumatology at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Grant Hughes, MD on January 17, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Arthritis and arthralgia are terms that are often confused with one another. The main difference between arthralgia and arthritis is that one is a symptom and the other is a condition. Arthralgia is a symptom that refers to joint pain, and arthritis is a type of medical condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. Peter Dazeley / Getty Images Symptoms Arthralgia is a term for joint pain and stiffness. It can be a symptom of different conditions, including arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and has many symptoms. The most common symptoms of arthritis are: Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints Problems moving the joints Warm or red skin around the joints Symptoms of Arthritis Causes Since arthralgia is a symptom, it indicates a person may have a medical condition that requires additional testing before a doctor can determine the cause. Some of the common causes of arthralgia include: Overuse or wear and tear of the joints Injuries Sprains Gout Tendonitis Infectious diseases Arthritis is not a single disease because there are more than 100 different types, so there are many causes. Sometimes it is not possible to determine the exact cause of your arthritis. Some of the common causes of arthritis include: Overuse or wear and tear of the joints Autoimmune diseases Injuries like broken bones Infections Deposits of crystals forming in the joints and tissues Some different types of arthritis are: Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Gout Scleroderma Ankylosing spondylitis Reactive arthritis Psoriatic arthritis Diagnosis Arthralgia is a symptom, so you should discuss it with your doctor during the diagnosis process. Arthritis is a medical condition, but there are many types. It may take time to diagnose the specific type of arthritis you have. There is no one test that can provide a definitive diagnosis for all types of arthritis. You may need to have multiple tests to determine the cause of your joint pain. Your doctor will start the diagnosis process by learning more about your symptoms and doing a physical exam. Your doctor will look for redness, warmth, fluid, and pain in the joints or problems moving the joints. You will also discuss your medical history. Imaging Tests You may need different types of imaging tests to diagnose arthritis. The tests may include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopy, or ultrasound scans of your joints. Lab Work Your doctor may order different laboratory tests to determine if you have arthritis. Usually, more than one test is necessary to figure out the condition. Common lab tests for arthritis include: Urinalysis Complete blood count (CBC) Serum uric acid Complement blood test Creatine kinase (CK) Rheumatoid factor (RF) C-reactive protein (CRP) Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP) Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Arthrocentesis (joint aspiration) Treatment If you have joint pain that is not caused by arthritis, then your treatment may include rest and exercise. You may also want to take warm baths and have massages. Your doctor may recommend taking anti-inflammatory medications for the pain. If you have arthritis, the treatment plan will vary based on the type of condition you have and the severity. You may need to make lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise or doing physical theapy. Lifestyle changes for arthritis may include: Diet changes Strength training Low-impact aerobic exercises Flexibility exercises Water therapy Using heat or ice Massages Wearing orthotics or splints Lowering stress Avoiding alcohol and smoking Losing weight Other treatment options for arthritis are: Anti-inflammatory medications Corticosteroids Acetaminophen Aspirin Ibuprofen Naproxen Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) Biologics Kinase inhibitors Joint replacement A Word From Verywell When you notice new or unusual symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor right away and be upfront about what you are experiencing. If you have arthralgia or joint pain, it can be a symptom of arthritis. The diagnosis process for arthritis can take time, so it is important to stay patient. There are many types of arthritis, and they have similar symptoms. You may want to reach out to friends and family for support as you wait for results from your imaging and laboratory tests. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Arthralgia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis types. Updated February 20, 2019. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Arthritis. Updated December 22, 2020. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Arthritis diagnosis.