The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, with more than 240 million people worldwide affected by it (Katz et al., 2021).

Yes, joint pain, also known as arthralgia, is symptom of arthritis. It is a prominent key factor in helping to diagnose the disease.

Unfortunately, there is no difinitive answer to how long arthritis lasts. It depends on your diagnosis, as there are many different forms of arthritis. Some are chronic, and some are acute in duration. You cannot "get rid" of chronic arthritides, but you can manage symptoms through drugs and therapy. For acute arthritides, NSAIDs and in some cases, antibiotics, are used for treatment alonside therapy. 

Diagnosing arthritis can be done through several different ways, often times combining tests. Reviewing medical history, physical exams, imaging scans (such as X-ray, Ultrasounds, or MRI), and blood tests can all be used. The video below from Summit Orthopedics explains a shortform way of the process of diagnosing arthritis.