Which of the following is a key characteristic of Arthritis?

Joint inflammation characterized by redness and swelling is a key characteristic of arthritis. This condition involves the immune system mistakenly attacking the joints, leading to inflammation, which is marked by a combination of redness due to increased blood flow, swelling due to fluid accumulation, and pain as a result of irritation to the surrounding tissues.

This inflammatory response is fundamental to many types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory forms of osteoarthritis. The presence of these symptoms can help differentiate arthritis from other conditions that may affect joint function.

While excessive wear and tear on joints can contribute to osteoarthritis, it doesn’t capture the inflammatory aspect of arthritis. An inability to move the joints may result from arthritis but is not a defining characteristic, as this can also occur in other conditions. Lastly, a gradual increase in joint flexibility is not associated with arthritis; typically, joint flexibility may decrease due to inflammation and damage over time.