Inflammation of 1 or more joints, causing pain and stiffness which will worsen with age. differing types of arthritis exist, each with different causes including wear and tear, infections and underlying diseases. Symptoms include pain, swelling, reduced range of motion and stiffness. Medication, physiotherapy or sometimes surgery helps reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. atrophic arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which suggests it's caused by the system attacking healthy body tissue. If you've got atrophic arthritis , your system mistakenly sends antibodies to the liner of your joints, where they attack the tissue surrounding the joint. atrophic arthritis (RA) causes inflammation of the liner of the joints, especially within the hands and fingers. Signs and symptoms include red, swollen, painful joints, and reduced mobility and adaptability . If left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the joints and high complications within the major organs.