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.

Helpful Tools for You

Beyond the Joint Pain: The Hidden Toll of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Mental Health

Beyond the Joint Pain: The Hidden Toll of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Mental Health

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often described in terms of physical pain, swollen joints, and stiffness. But for many people, the struggle is more than skin (or joint) deep. RA doesn’t just ... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis &Pain Management

March 02, 202513 min read

Targeting ELK3: A Potential Breakthrough in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Targeting ELK3: A Potential Breakthrough in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide, causing painful joint inflammation and progressive damage to cartilage and bone​ news-medical.net ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis &Pain Management

February 27, 20259 min read

Understanding the Different Faces of Psoriatic Arthritis: New Study Reveals 3 Patient Clusters

Understanding the Different Faces of Psoriatic Arthritis: New Study Reveals 3 Patient Clusters

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex and often unpredictable condition that affects both the skin and joints. While some patients experience primarily joint-related symptoms, others face severe skin... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis &Pain Management

February 05, 20252 min read

Breakthrough in Osteoarthritis Detection: A New Test for Early Diagnosis

Breakthrough in Osteoarthritis Detection: A New Test for Early Diagnosis

For years, diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA) in its earliest stages has been a significant challenge. Many patients do not receive a definitive diagnosis until cartilage damage has already progressed, li... ...more

Treatment ,About Arthritis &Pain Management

February 02, 20252 min read

The Silent Struggle of Gout: Why Many Flares Go Unreported

The Silent Struggle of Gout: Why Many Flares Go Unreported

Gout, a painful form of inflammatory arthritis, affects millions of people worldwide. Yet, despite its significant impact on quality of life, research shows that many individuals experiencing flares d... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment Gout &Pain Management

January 25, 20252 min read

Why 70% of People with Rheumatic Diseases Aren’t Meeting Exercise Goals—And Why It Matters

Why 70% of People with Rheumatic Diseases Aren’t Meeting Exercise Goals—And Why It Matters

Living with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs), like rheumatoid arthritis, often means battling fatigue, joint pain, and stiffness on a daily basis. But did you know that regular physical activity... ...more

Arthritis ,diet Treatment Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis &Pain Management

November 06, 20244 min read

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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.

Learn more about Arthritis:

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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