ABSTRACT
Arthritis can bring with it not only pain, suffering, and physical limitations, but also a negative impact on employability, and even financial hardship. Over 46 million American adults have self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Over a third of these individuals have limitations due to arthritis. Arthritis can bring with it not only pain, suffering, and physical limitations, but also a negative impact on employability, and even financial hardship. Over 46 million American adults have self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis. As a rule, the pathology of osteoarthritis (OA) follows a progression starting with the loss of cartilage matrix that predisposes the affected joint to further injury. As OA progresses, there tends to be alterations to underlying bone as well as associated wear and tear on the cartilage with the development of bony outgrowths called osteophytes at the periphery of the affected joint. As a rule, the pathology of OA follows progression starting with loss of cartilage matrix that predisposes the affected joint to further injury.
