According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is very common but is not well understood. Actually, “arthritis” is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. People of all ages, sexes and races can and do have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

• swelling, 
• pain, 
• stiffness and decreased range of motion

 Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate or severe. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes which are visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-ray. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints. 

When the joint symptoms of osteoarthritis are mild or moderate, they can be managed by:

• balancing activity with rest
• using hot and cold therapies –ice packs or heating pads/soaks
• regular physical activity- such as walking or water exercises
• maintaining a healthy weight 
• strengthening the muscles around the joint for added support
• using assistive devices- like canes or walkers
• taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medicines
• avoiding excessive repetitive movements

If joint symptoms are severe, causing limited mobility and affecting quality of life, some of the above management strategies may be helpful, but joint replacement may be necessary.