Arthritis is an auto immune disease that mostly affects the joints.
Osteoarthritis primarily targets the joint cartilage with its second target being the underlying bones. Osteoarthritis typically affects the hips, knees and thumb joints in those who have crossed the mid- life line. Wear, tear and injury on our joints creates the perfect opportunity for this painful disease to move in and take over our ease of movement causing the snaps, pops and creeks we hear so often when we stand up, and the unbearable pain that accompanies this dread of aging. The American Rheumatism Foundation tells us that rheumatoid arthritis most of targets the hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists. This form of arthritis is found less often in knees, sacrum, heels and toes.