Arthritis
An estimated 27 million adults in the United States live with osteoarthritis—the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, which is the connective tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. Osteoarthritis is characterized by pain, joint damage, and limited motion. The disease generally occurs late in life, and most commonly affects the hands and large weight-bearing joints, such as the knees. Age, female gender, and obesity are risk factors for this condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a health condition that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Conventional medical treatments are available for RA; however, some people also try complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies.
For Consumers
- Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis of the Knee Study Results
- Cat's Claw
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Feverfew
- Ginger
- Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention (GAIT) Study Results
- Magnets for Pain
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Thunder God Vine
Research Spotlights
Ongoing Medical Studies
- Search for Active Medical Research Studies (ClinicalTrials.gov)
For Health Professionals
Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee [1.29MB PDF] (Osteoarthritis Cartilage)
- Osteoarthritis of the Knee (The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
Scientific Literature
- Systematic Reviews/Reviews/Meta-Analysis (PubMed® Citations)
- Randomized Controlled Trials
(PubMed® Citations)
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