Joints are located wherever two or more bones meet. Cartilage and a lubricating fluid form a smooth gliding surface for the bones of the joint. Ligaments hold the joint together. When joints become injured or diseased, they swell. Over 100 types of arthritis affect the joints and connective tissues of the body.
Inflammation is a normal part of the body's defense system.
It is a natural reaction to injury. Inflammation causes swelling, pain, and redness. It also decreases motion in the affected area. With arthritis, inflammation becomes part of the problem. It causes tissue damage that the body tries to handle by creating more inflammation.