Arthritis is an inevitable aging process caused by normal wear and tear, past injuries and genetic predisposition.

Eighty percent of people over the age of 50 have X-ray findings of arthritis somewhere: The most common joints are fingers, wrist, hip, knee and spine.   For some it is a major problem affecting multiple joints; for others just an occasional nuisance in one joint.

In fact, arthritis is the number one reason for disability in the U.S.

Arthritis pain is associated with stiffness, weakness and reduced function. This happens because the joint associated with the damage of the cartilage becomes inflamed.  When arthritis is severe, it makes the joint look like a rusty hinge.

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Sugary soft drink consumption contributes not only to weight gain, but also may play a role in the progression of knee osteoarthritis, especially in men, according to new research findings presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Knee osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage breakdown in the knee joint. Factors that increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis include obesity, age, prior injury to the knee, extreme stress to the joints, and family history. In 2005, 27 million Americans suffered from osteoarthritis, and one in two people will have symptomatic knee arthritis by age 85.

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