Arthritis generally refers to the condition of inflamed joints that are stiff and painful. Heredity and physical stress to joints and bones seem to be the leading factors in the development of arthritis. Damage to joints and the cartilage surrounding them that fails to heal properly will usually lead to an arthritic condition. Although everyone feels stiffness and soreness in their joints from time to time, people with arthritis usually are in almost constant pain, and the condition tends to get progressively worse. In the worst cases, an arthritic condition can be crippling and cause deformities. By the age of 70, 85% of the population will suffer from arthritis to some degree. Even though there is no cure or prevention for arthritis, there are a wide variety of treatments to reduce the pain and impact of the condition. Research Arthritis