Arthritis, in general, is the swelling of the joints. There are several different forms of arthritis, the most common of them being osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage around bones and joints becomes significantly weakened and the bones erode. Other forms of arthritis include juvenile, psoriatic and rheumatoid. Out of all the causes of disability in the United States, arthritis is the most common.

Arthritis causes significant amounts of pain in those who are diagnosed with it. This severe joint pain makes doing everyday activities such as walking and dressing difficult. People with arthritis often become home bound and will no longer to be able to do the activities they once enjoyed.