Patient Education
Arthritis

There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritic conditions that can affect the human body, and millions of Americans are affected with arthritis each year. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion in a joint. Although researchers have not yet discovered a cure for arthritis, it is a treatable disease. That's good news if you are one of the estimated 20 million Americans who have osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis.

Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to improvement in arthritic symptoms and can delay further joint destruction. For most people with arthritis, conservative treatments are enough to alleviate their symptoms. Various non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, medications, and walking aids. When conservative treatments fail to relieve joint pain caused by arthritis, you and your surgeon may consider surgery to replace the worn, painful joint.

• Arthritis is defined as inflammation of the joint and the tissues surrounding the joint
• There are 42.7 million Americans with doctor-diagnosed arthritis (Centers for Disease Control)
• Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States (Centers for Disease Control)