A stiff knee while getting out of bed, discomfort while climbing stairs, or an ache after a long day is often dismissed as an inevitable part of growing older. But joint pain is not always a normal consequence of aging, and it may signal an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
Arthritis is not a single disease. It is an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. While the risk of some forms increases with age, arthritis can affect people at different stages of life.
