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| |  | |  | | | | The information on these pages is intended for general knowledge purposes only. If you have or think you have any of these conditions, you should contact your physician immediately. If you do not have a physician, contact:
Hartford Hospital's Health Referral Services: Phone: 860.545.1888 Email: CLICK HERE | | | |  | |  |
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Common Health Concerns
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Select one of the following:
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Arthritis
(Joint Stiffness & Pain)
While often referred to as if it were a single disease, arthritis is actually
an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions that
collectively affect nearly 70 million adults and 300,000 children in America
alone. While the most common form of arthritis - osteoarthritis (OA) - is most
prevalent in people over 60, arthritis in its various forms can start as early
as infancy. Some forms affect people in their young-adult years as they are
beginning careers and families and still others start during the peak career and
child-rearing years.
The common thread among these 100-plus conditions is that they all affect the
musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bone
meet. Arthritis-related joint problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and
damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the
bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.
Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible deformities
that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can interfere with the
most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using a computer
keyboard, cutting your food or brushing your teeth.
For many people with arthritis, however, joint involvement is not the extent
of the problem. Many forms of arthritis are classified as systemic, meaning they
can affect the whole body. In these diseases, arthritis can cause damage to
virtually any bodily organ or system, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood
vessels and skin. Arthritis-related conditions primarily affect the muscles and
the bones.
For more information about arthritis, contact your physician or:
The Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
1.800.283.7800
www.arthritis.org
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