Arthritis comes from the Greek word ‘arthron’ (meaning joint) and the ending ‘itis’ (meaning inflammation of). The term arthritis describes over a hundred conditions that cause inflammation of the joints. Read on to find out more about the main types of arthritis and how osteopathic treatment could help to manage your symptoms to improve your quality of life. Osteoarthritis facts Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common types of arthritis and is caused by wear and tear.