General Overview

The term arthritis literally means joint inflammation, but it also is used to refer to more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints and may also affect other parts of the body.

InDepth

Find answers in our in-depth reports on arthritis:

Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures

Living With Arthritis

In her own words: living with osteoarthritis

In her own words: living with rheumatoid arthritis

When your hip joint begins to break down, you're in for constant pain. It wakes you up at night and curtails most of your physical activities during the day. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options that can greatly improve this chronic, painful condition.

Special Topics

Osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis. So common, in fact, that if you are over 40, there is a 90% chance you already show signs, though you probably don't know it. Find out if there are supplements that may provide relief.

For people who have suffered through years of hip pain and discomfort, hip replacement surgery can change their lives.

True or False?

For many people, the flare-up of an arthritic knee or shoulder appears to signal a change in the weather—usually hinting that a storm is imminent. Are the two really related?

If you cracked your knuckles as a child, you may have been warned that it could cause you to develop arthritis later in life. Is this true?

Related Conditions

Natural and Alternative Treatments (By Condition)