Welcome to the Arthritis
Foundation’s Introduction
To Arthritis!
Defining Arthritis
ARTH
(Joint)
+
IT IS =
(Inflammation)
INFLAMMATION OF THE JOINTS
Arthritis is an umbrella term
for over 100 types of
rheumatic diseases
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
Gout
Bursitis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Myositis
Scleroderma
Lyme Disease
Carpel Tunnel
Psioriatic Arthritis
Its Prevalence and Impact
 A new CDC report (2006) says that 46
million Americans have arthritis (1 in 5)
 More than half are under age 65.
The #1 cause of Disability in the U.S.
Costs the U.S. economy $128 billion/year
Two Most Common Types
 Osteoarthritis
 Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Normal Joint
Joint with
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
 Age
 Overweight
 Joint Injury
 Muscle Weakness
 Heredity
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Normal Joint
Joint with Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
 Affects nearly 2.1 million Americans
Affects three times more women than men
Can result in severe joint
damage and deformity
May also cause fatigue, weight loss, and
other whole-body symptoms
Major Differences: OA & RA
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Usually begins age 40+
Often affects joints on
ONE side of the body
Usually begins ages 25-50
Usually affects joints on
BOTH sides of the body
Usually doesn’t cause
redness, warmth, and
swelling of a joint
Causes redness, warmth and
swelling of joints
Affects only certain joints;
rarely affects elbows or
shoulders
Doesn’t cause a general
feeling of sickness
Affects many joints, including
elbows and shoulders
Often causes malaise, fatigue,
weight loss and fever
Chronic Illness Symptom Cycle
Pain
Muscle Tension
Stress
Reduced
Activity
Decreased Flexibility,
Strength & Function
Stiffness
Fatigue
Depression
Anger
Loss of Self-Esteem
Three Important Questions
1. Can osteoarthritis be prevented?
2. How is it diagnosed?
3. How can it be managed?