Arthritis

Arthritis litererally means "inflammation of the joint" (from the ancient Greek arthro, joint and -itis, inflammation). Arthritis actually covers a number of condition involving damage to the joints of the body (however, in some forms of arthritis, there is little or no inflammation involved).

Arthritis is main cause of disability in old people aged 65 and over.

There are a number of forms of arthritis, of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common.

In our body, the joints allow our bones to move free and easily against each other. For example, if you are throwing a ball, the elbow and shoulder joints allow you to do that action freely. Or if you are running or walking, the knee and hip joints allow you to run or walk freely.

Arthritis is a disease where the joints may become worn down, deformed, unstable or covered with crystals. These events will cause pain and stop the joints from moving free and easily.