What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. It commonly manifests as joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. There are several types of arthritis, but the two most common ones are:

Osteoarthritis: This type involves wear-and-tear damage to a joint’s cartilage—the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones where they form a joint. Cartilage cushions the bones and allows smooth joint movement. However, enough damage can lead to bone-on-bone grinding, causing pain and restricted movement1.
Rheumatoid arthritis: In this autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks the joints, starting with the joint lining. It can cause significant pain and joint deformities.