Arthritis is an umbrella term covering over 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint and other connective tissues. In a broad definition, arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints.
A diagnosis of arthritis is often due to acute or chronic inflammation of a joint, which is often accompanied by pain and structural changes. The specific causes of arthritis are unknown, but may be triggered by infection, crystal deposition, genetics, injury or repetitive use. Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness.
For information about a specific type of arthritis, click on one of the most prevalent forms below. The Foundation will continue to update this page with more information and cover as many types of arthritis as possible. We are committed to finding new treatments and cures to help all of the individuals suffering.