Arthritis literally means an inflammation (‘-itis’) occurring on the joints (‘-artho’). However, it is not a disease but is only a disorder.
The proper movement of any joint is facilitated by a smooth and thick layer of connective tissue known as the cartilage. The cartilage prevents the bone from rubbing against each other. This results in a nearly friction-less joint movement. Excessive physical activity can result in wear and tear in the cartilage. This results in stiffness and pain in the associated joint.
