Arthritis is not a single disease, but consists of more than 100 different disorders involving the joints and is characterized by chronic pain, limited mobility and decreased range of motion (The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2013). The term comes from to Greek “arthritis” words: meaning, and the which means (1999). It is used to arthros, “joint” –itis, “inflammation” describe a wide range of diseases of the joints and related tissues that cause pain, stiffness, joint deformities, and loss of function (Lam & Horstman, 2002). The two most prevalent forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Hunder, 2002). Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis affecting to 30 million nationwide and often accompanies age as it is characterized by the wear and tear of joints over time (Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2013). As our population ages, the prevalence of this condition continues to increase (John Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2012), affecting nearly 80 percent of the population aged 65 and older (Iannucci & Horowitz, 1999). The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary from person to person. One individual may have some general stiffness each morning that never progresses into much more. Another person may have severe, crippling pain all day long. Symptoms of OA include pain ranging from mild discomfort to throbbing pain in the joints, stiffness, inflammation, and limited range of motion. When considering stiffness, a catch-22: If you rest, the pain may subside; if you rest, the “it’s joints may stiffen up” (Iannucci & Horowitz, 1999). It is likely that stiffness will occur after sitting for a while, or after waking up in the morning, but should start to subside after a few minutes of moving around. Inflammation is a common symptom in rheumatoid arthritis, but is not as common in osteoarthritis. When a joint is overused, it can become warm, red, and inflamed. Joint damage prevents the joint from flexing and bending normally, making it difficult to perform daily tasks, such as grasping door handles, turning a page, or walking up the stairs. In
Arthritis is not a single disease, but consists of more than 100 different disorders involving the joints and is characterized by chronic pain, limited mobility and decreased range of motion (The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2013). The term “arthritis” comes from to Greek words: arthros, meaning, “joint” and the –itis, which means “inflammation” (1999). It is used to describe a wide range of diseases of the joints and related tissues that cause pain, stiffness, joint deformities, and loss of function (Lam & Horstman, 2002). The two most prevalent forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Hunder, 2002). Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis affecting to 30 million nationwide and often accompanies age as it is characterized by the wear and tear of joints over time (Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2013). As our population ages, the prevalence of this condition continues to increase (John Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2012), affecting nearly 80 percent of the population aged 65 and older (Iannucci & Horowitz, 1999). The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary from person to person. One individual may have some general stiffness each morning that never progresses into much more. Another person may have severe, crippling pain all day long. Symptoms of OA include pain ranging from mild discomfort to throbbing pain in the joints, stiffness, inflammation, and limited range of motion. When considering stiffness, “it’s a catch-22: If you rest, the pain may subside; if you rest, the joints may stiffen up” (Iannucci & Horowitz, 1999). It is likely that stiffness will occur after sitting for a while, or after waking up in the morning, but should start to subside after a few minutes of moving around. Inflammation is a common symptom in rheumatoid arthritis, but is not as common in osteoarthritis. When a joint is overused, it can become warm, red, and inflamed. Joint damage prevents the joint from flexing and bending normally, making it difficult to perform daily tasks, such as grasping door handles, turning a page, or walking up the stairs. In