Q: I'm only 40-years-old woman and too young for arthritis, but sometimes I get out of bed in the morning and find my ankles to be really stiff. I'm in pretty good shape and run several days a week. What is causing this stiffness?

A: A number of things can cause joint pain, particularly in perimenopausal and menopausal women. A physical examination and patient history would be necessary to more accurately determine a cause.

Arthritis and unstable environments within joints predisposing them to arthritis can, though, happen at any age. While, it affects many of the elderly as a result of the wear on their joints through the years, it can affect the young as well for a variety of reasons. Early signs of arthritis are joint stiffness and pain after a period of inactivity or rest. It is always recommended that a patient consult the doctor when such physical changes persist for several weeks, as an early diagnosis is beneficial in both successfully treating as well as preventing more serious conditions.

Q: What is the difference between Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis?

A: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an aggressive autoimmune type of disease and Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease

RA is a systemic disease that affects the synovial tissue, which lines the joints. The body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium - which over time can destroy the joint tissues, including cartilage, ligaments, tendons and bone. In the upper body, RA can occur in joints in the fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder.

RA changes the normal structure and function of cartilage and may increase a patient's risk of developing osteoarthritis. RA can be a chronic condition, or produce periods of active symptoms (flare ups) and periods of no symptoms (remission).

OA is among the most common forms of arthritis in the United States. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it starts with a breakdown of joint cartilage that results in pain and stiffness.

Among the upper body joints, it most frequently affects the fingers. Nearly 90 percent of women and 80 percent of men between the ages of 75 and 79 have X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in their hands.

Though less frequently, it also affects the wrists, elbows and shoulders. When found in these joints, there is generally a history of injury or extreme stress to the joint. Repetitive work-related injury and physical trauma can contribute to the development of OA as well.

While the specific cause of OA is unknown, it is believed that repetitive stress and history of injury weakens and begins to tear down the cartilage that helps cushion the bones in the joint, and the process of joint degeneration begins.

OA is a less aggressive form of arthritis than Rheumatoid. It progresses slowly. Early signs include joint ache following physical activity or a work out.

Read more about arthritis.