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ArthritisArthritis is an umbrella term for numerous separate conditions that affect the joints of our musculoskeletal system. As damage accrues within the joints, arthritis typically results in progressive symptoms that include decreased motion, inflammation, and pain. About one in five adults worldwide has been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. The associated pain and dysfunction from arthritis are a leading cause of disability across the globe. Currently, there is no cure for arthritis. Once the smooth cartilage surface is lost, it cannot be restored. This is an area of intense research, including hope for the use of stem cells, targeted antibodies, and even synthetic cartilage transplants. In general, if the cause is mechanical—such as in degenerative arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis—medications, physical therapy, braces, and injections are used to manage the pain. If the origin is inflammatory, various medications are available to allow for decreased pain and increased motion.Explore Arthritis

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Arthritis explained, with Dr. Nick GolinvauxArthritis, a condition affecting millions globally, is more than just joint pain—it’s a breakdown of cartilage that cushions bones, leading to stiffness, swelling, and discomfort. While often associated with aging, arthritis can affect people of all ages, especially after injuries. Though there’s no cure yet, treatments range from medication and physical therapy to surgical interventions like joint replacements. 1440 There is no cure for the general condition of arthritisWhile there are innumerable conditions ultimately leading to the joint pain we collectively term "arthritis," one common pathway is progressive inflammation and joint damage many years after an injury. TED-Ed Arthritis is an umbrella term for various conditions that cause joint painArthritis isn’t one single disease, but rather a range of conditions that all lead back to the same outcome—joint pain. This American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons primer is a go-to resource for understanding what arthritis is, the most common types, and various treatment options depending on the underlying cause. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Limb regeneration research may lead to treatments for arthritisFor scientists pursuing the cure for arthritis, the holy grail of discoveries lies in how to regrow healthy cartilage inside human joints. While this feat has so far resisted our best scientific attempts, there are plenty of other human tissues—such as the liver and fingertips—that will successfully regenerate. The New Yorker Research links the gut microbiome and rheumatoid arthritisArthritis is a potentially disabling joint condition that currently affects nearly one in five adults across the globe. Doctors still don't know what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but the answer may be partly determined by chemicals produced by bacteria in the gut. The Atlantic Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the populationRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition leading to breakdown and inflammation of multiple joints throughout the body. This academic article provides an updated deep dive into our current cellular understanding of rheumatoid arthritis, how it is diagnosed, and the variety of medications available for treating this painful condition. NIH Diagnosis and treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, resulting from age-related degeneration of the soft cartilage lining between bones. As this layer breaks down, the normal smooth motion between bones is lost and the joint becomes painful. NIH Five advancements in arthritis researchIt is estimated that nearly 350 million people worldwide are currently suffering from arthritis. This resource explores five of the most promising recent advancements in arthritis research as scientists work towards improved treatments and continue the search for a cure. Labiotech Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks cells within jointsRheumatoid arthritis is a specific type of arthritis that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks normal cells within the joint and degrades them. This sets off a painful cycle of inflammation and joint destruction that often requires lifelong medication to control. Elsevier Real surgical footage reveals what arthritis looks like up closeArthritis is a painful condition of human joints that often results from the loss or breakdown of the soft cartilage padding that naturally exists between bones. This video shows footage from an actual knee surgery that beautifully demonstrates the difference between normal cartilage and the degenerative cartilage seen in osteoarthritis. Yorkshire Knee Clinic Visualizing a joint under attack from rheumatoid arthritisA particularly difficult arthritis subtype is rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition provoking a vicious cycle of joint inflammation, destruction, and dysfunction. It begins with a misfiring of the patient’s own immune system—for unknown reasons, it identifies joint and cartilage cells as foreign, initiating an attack to eliminate the supposed "invaders." Nature The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, or age-related cartilage lossThe most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It's caused by cartilage loss within our joints as we age. This article is formatted specifically for patients. It provides easily digestible information on our most evidence-based understanding of osteoarthritis causes, symptoms, and treatments. UpToDate Arthritis affects almost 60 million AmericansArthritis refers to a range of conditions resulting in joint pain that currently affects nearly 60 million people in the United States alone. This resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explores the basics of arthritis and provides resources for understanding its near-universal impact on our population. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dinosaurs suffered from cancer, arthritis, and infections seen in modern animalsUsing CT scans and advanced pathology techniques, paleopathologists have identified respiratory illnesses, malignant osteosarcoma, and other diseases in dinosaurs. The research has helped show how many of these ailments are not exclusively modern phenomena. BBC News Read a study about racial differences in Lyme disease diagnosisThe research published in September 2025 examined differences in Lyme disease diagnosis among Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries using data from 2016 to 2021. It notes that though US Lyme disease surveillance data indicates more than 90% of diagnosed Lyme cases are among white people, people of color—particularly those who identify as Black or African American—have higher rates of more severe disease of Lyme, with symptoms including arthritis and neurologic impacts. Emerging Infectious Diseases Lyme disease was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975A cluster of 51 children and adults in the town all began experiencing uncommon arthritic symptoms and the cases were reported to the state health department. A quarter of the cases were preceded by a skin lesion. The patients tended to live near the woods. Connecticut Department of Health Food poisoning can sometimes cause serious long-term health issuesAlthough foodborne illness can be relatively mild and cause short-term discomfort, more rarely it can also cause long-term severe health consequences, depending on your individual risk factors, the severity of your sickness, and the care you receive. Kidney failure is one serious complication associated with certain types of food poisoning. Meningitis, hepatitis, arthritis, and pancreatitis are also rare and serious foodborne illness complications. If a pregnant person gets food poisoning, it can cause health issues for the fetus. Michigan State University Anatomy of a healthy knee jointTo understand arthritis, study a normal joint. Where two bones come together, each is lined by a cartilage cap. These bones are linked together by strong ligaments. The inner juncture is lined by a joint capsule (synovial membrane) containing lubricating joint fluid between the two surfaces, allowing for near-frictionless motion. Cigna Kangaroos evolved exceptionally thick knee cartilage to absorb shockThere is significant conflict in the medical field regarding chronic arthritis. Some advocate for keeping the joint as active as possible while others argue progressive overuse leads to worsening arthritis. To settle the score, scientists have looked outside the human population, discovering kangaroos rarely suffer from arthritis in their knees. VICE

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