Is it possible for me to have arthritis

is it possible for me 2 have arthritis with it running down the family and my knee keeps swelling up and feels weird and locks in a position which is hard 2 get it out of, its red and swollen and locked at the moment so im seeing the doctor soon but i wanna know how possible it is for me 2 get it because all the symptoms i have are the same as what my uncle has and he has arthritis.

please reply a.s.a.p
from Smiley_girl

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

Yes, arthritis can run in the family, particularly Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The majority of RA patients have chronic infections in their joints, which can cause inflammation, pain and decreased joint mobility.

In one study that we published a few years back with the Arthritis Center of Riverside (CA), we found that 45% of RA patients had Mycoplasma infections, and this is one of a few types of infections that can inflame the synovia in the joints.

Fortunately, if you have this infection, it can be treated with long-term antibiotics like doxycycline or minocycline.  Clinical trials done at NIH have shown the effectiveness of such medications on resolving RA.