What is characterized by inflammation of the joints?

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the joints. This inflammatory process leads to symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints. There are several types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, each with its own underlying causes and management strategies. The defining feature that sets arthritis apart from other conditions, such as arthralgia, which refers specifically to joint pain without the inflammation component, is the actual inflammation that occurs in the joints, which is a hallmark of the arthritic condition.

Conditions like ganglion, which refers to a fluid-filled cyst near a joint or tendon, and subluxation, which describes a partial dislocation of a joint, do not specifically denote joint inflammation and therefore are not classified as arthritis.