We’ve all heard the term a thousand times. Arthritis. But what is it?

Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes over 100 different conditions including gout and rheumatoid arthritis. The most common however, and the one that people are often referring to, is osteoarthritis (OA).

Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of cartilage within a joint that causes a rough joint surface and with time, leads to bone-on-bone contact. As the body tries to repair this disruption in its mechanics, there is an increase in joint fluid which causes tension on ligaments and other joint structures. As a result, people with OA may experience pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness and reduced range of motion.

These symptoms become problematic when they impact an individual’s ability and desire to complete daily tasks and participate in regular physical activity. Over time, decreased activity and weight-bearing leads to a decline in one’s general mobility, strength and balance, deconditioning and ultimately a decreased quality of life.

Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as we discuss arthritis statistics, learn about some risk factors and what we can do reduce our risk and improve our symptoms of arthritis!