About Arthritis

As the nation’s #1 cause of disability, arthritis affects nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children. Over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions damage the joints and often other organs.

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Psoriasis and Joint Pain: New Insights on Psoriatic Arthritis from Groundbreaking Study

Psoriasis and Joint Pain: New Insights on Psoriatic Arthritis from Groundbreaking Study

Learn about a major international study led by Oxford University and University College Dublin that tracks nearly 3,000 patients to understand who might develop Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA). This cutting... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis &Pain Management

October 21, 20241 min read

Stuck in the Cycle: Why Some Arthritis Patients Rely Too Much on Painkillers

Stuck in the Cycle: Why Some Arthritis Patients Rely Too Much on Painkillers

Living with the pain of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is tough. Many people turn to opioids (strong painkillers) for relief, but ... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment &About Arthritis

October 18, 20243 min read

Can Telerehabilitation Be as Effective as In-Person Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis?

Can Telerehabilitation Be as Effective as In-Person Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis?

For those living with knee osteoarthritis (OA), managing chronic pain and maintaining mobility are key priorities. Traditionally, in-person physiotherapy has been the go-to solution, but a recent stud... ...more

About Arthritis ,Osteoarthritis

October 15, 20243 min read

Breakthrough Treatments for Arthritis and Chronic Pain: How RFA and TAE Are Changing Lives

Breakthrough Treatments for Arthritis and Chronic Pain: How RFA and TAE Are Changing Lives

Living with arthritis or chronic pain can feel overwhelming. Simple tasks become difficult, and daily life is interrupted by constant discomfort. But what if there were innovative treatments available... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment &About Arthritis

October 03, 20243 min read

How New Imaging Technology is Changing Arthritis Diagnosis and Treatment

How New Imaging Technology is Changing Arthritis Diagnosis and Treatment

What if doctors could diagnose arthritis earlier, tell the difference between types of arthritis more accurately, and figure out how well treatments are working—all with better imaging? That’s exactly... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment &About Arthritis

October 03, 20243 min read

How PDPA is Paving the Way for New Regenerative Therapies

How PDPA is Paving the Way for New Regenerative Therapies

Regenerative therapies aim to repair or regenerate damaged tissues, offering new hope for treating chronic diseases, injuries, and age-related conditions. As the demand for more effective and less inv... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment &PDPA

September 29, 20248 min read

Effects of Arthritis

Cause of Disability

In the United States, 23% of all adults, or more than 54 million people, have arthritis. It is a leading cause of work disability, with annual costs for medical care and lost earnings of $303.5 billion.

Workforce Effects

Sixty percent of US adults with arthritis are of working age (18 to 64 years). Arthritis can limit the type of work they are able to do or keep them from working at all.

Global Impact

In fact, 8 million working-age adults report that their ability to work is limited because of their arthritis. For example, they may have a hard time climbing stairs or walking from a parking deck to their workplace.

Promoting Interventions That Reduce Arthritis Pain

American Arthritis Foundation recognizes several proven approaches to reduce arthritis symptoms:

  • Be active. Physical activity—such as walking, bicycling, and swimming—decreases arthritis pain and improves function, mood, and quality of life. Adults with arthritis should move more and sit less throughout the day. Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week is recommended.

  • Protect your joints. People can help prevent osteoarthritis by avoiding activities that are more likely to cause joint injuries.

  • Talk with a doctor. Recommendations from health care providers can motivate people to be physically active and join a self-management education program. Should your arthritis be interfering with your activities of daily living you may be a candidate to receive many new treatments, and learn how to reverse the arthritis condition.

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Arthritis Advice

Get better control of your arthritis with help from our experts. Arthritis can be confusing, but don't worry, we have the tips you need to make it easier to manage.

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