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Arthritis and arthritis treatment facts.

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Arthritis and arthritis treatment facts.

powered by:

Arthritis Consumer Experts Logo

About Arthritis

Imagine living with pain so intense that you can barely get out of bed in the morning. What if buttoning your shirt or walking to your front door hurts so much that these daily tasks are almost impossible? People living with arthritis face challenges at home, in relationships and in the workplace.

Among the top three chronic diseases in Canada, arthritis is a group of more than 100 different types. The most common type, osteoarthritis (OA), causes more than 80% of hip and knee joint replacement surgeries. Inflammatory forms of the disease, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, can cause the destruction of joints and soft tissues around the joints causing pain, disability, significant lost quality of life, and even an early death. 

While arthritis affects one out of five Canadians, no standardized model of arthritis care is available in one, let alone all, provinces and territories. The time to address models of care in arthritis is now, and it is critical. Today, more than 6 million Canadians are living with arthritis. Within a generation, the number of Canadians with the most disabling and life-threatening types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – is expected to significantly increase. Along with the anticipated growth in patient volume is the research that shows by 2025 a third of Canadian rheumatologists will have retired.

To learn more about arthritis visit Arthritis Consumer Experts.

Arthritis – Spotlights:

Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) has created spotlight profiles of some of the more than 100 types of arthritis. If you don’t see the type of arthritis you’re looking for, please contact us, and we’ll try to add a spotlight on the type of arthritis you want to know more about.

Check back often as we add more spotlights on different types of arthritis.

Arthritis Facts

Click to expand each Fact:

  • 6 million Canadians
  • The disease affects people of all races and both genders, though some people – like women and Indigenous Peoples – are more likely to get arthritis than others. 
  • Three out of five people with arthritis are under the age of 65.
  • One in 1,000 children in Canada has arthritis. 
  • Arthritis can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background.
  • The most common type of arthritis is called osteoarthritis, causing more than 80% of hip and knee joint replacement surgeries.
  • Inflammatory arthritis affects approximately one million Canadians and includes rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Arthritis is the leading cause of work disability in Canada.
  • In rheumatoid arthritis, research shows rates of work disability are remarkably high. Approximately two out of three (66%) people with rheumatoid arthritis have experienced short term or long-term loss of ability to work due to their disease.
  • Physical activity is a strategy to manage arthritis specific health issues.
  • Weight management is critical to osteoarthritis. Losing 10 pounds of excess weight translates into a decrease in stress on the knees by 40 pounds.
  • According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada,55,285 knee replacements were performed in Canada between 2020 and 2021. And over $1.3 billion was spent on hip and knee replacement surgeries during that time. The number of hip and knee replacements has increased each year over the past 10 years.

Arthritis Myths

“I’m too young to have arthritis.”
“It’s just a pain I have occasionally in my knee.”
“I should stay home and rest if I have arthritis.”

Arthritis Consumer Experts educates, informs, and provides insight to bust these myths.

Let’s set the record straight about Arthritis! Visit arthritisbroadcastnetwork.org.

Click to dispel each Myth: 

Did you know arthritis is the leading cause of disability for people over the age of 15? Arthritis can affect anyone, at any age. Three out of five Canadians with arthritis are under age 65. Arthritis is also among the most common chronic diseases in children, affecting one in 1,000 children.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. It can affect a single joint, multiple joints, or it can be an autoimmune disease that attacks the whole body. Different types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Arthritis is a leading cause of pain, physical disability and healthcare use in Canada. It can make daily activities—getting dressed, opening a door or even walking up stairs—extremely difficult or impossible. Inflammatory forms of the disease can cause the destruction of joints and soft tissues around the joints causing pain, disability, lost quality of life, and in severe cases, early death.

Arthritis is among the top three chronic diseases in Canada and can be devastating, disabling and fatal. As Canada’s most common cause of disability, arthritis disables two to three times more workers than all other chronic conditions. More than a quarter of Canadians with arthritis aged between 25 and 44 are not in the labour force because of their disease. Early detection can set the course for treatment and actions that can greatly reduce the effects of arthritis and improve quality of life.

Although arthritis is one of the most common, debilitating and costly chronic diseases in Canada, arthritis research receives much less funding than many other chronic diseases. However, funding for arthritis research lags behind other chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

The advances made through appropriate levels of funding for diabetes and cancer has changed the lives of people living with those diseases. People with arthritis deserves the same chance at leading full lives again. Increases in funding for arthritis research and care can do just that. To learn more about arthritis research that is changing and saving lives, visit Arthritis Research Canada at http://www.arthritisresearch.ca

Exercise is a key management strategy for arthritis as it protects joints by strengthening the muscles and tissues around them. Physical activity actually ‘feeds’ the joints because cartilage depends on joint movement to absorb nutrients and remove waste. Weight management is also critical. For each pound of excess body weight lost, there is a corresponding four-fold reduction in the load exerted on the knee joint during daily activities.

Arthritis FAQs

Click to expand each FAQ:

A: If you recognize arthritis symptoms, it is important to speak with your physician or pharmacist about what you are experiencing. Early diagnosis and treatment are vitally important for achieving the best outcomes. A correct diagnosis is the first step towards taking control of arthritis and building a treatment plan.

While there is no known cause or cure for arthritis, the progression and symptoms of the disease can often be managed. Early diagnosis and appropriate medications, along with physical activity and weight management, are key strategies to manage arthritis, reduce disability, and improve quality of life.

A: Osteoarthritis represents more than 90% of all arthritis and is estimated to affect one in 8 (13%) Canadians. It is caused by a breakdown in the cartilage in joints resulting in bones rubbing together leading to pain, stiffness and eventual loss of use. Some forms of OA are genetically driven, while others are a result of injury, overuse, or advanced age.

Women and men are equally likely to be affected by osteoarthritis. It strikes most commonly after the age of 45, but people of all ages — from children to older adults — are at risk.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but hands and weight-bearing joints—including the spine, hips and knees—are most often affected. Other joints, like shoulders, elbows, and ankles, are less likely to be affected unless the joint has been damaged by injury.

The most common signs and symptoms of OA are:

  • Pain and stiffness in a joint or several joints lasting more than two weeks
  • Joint stiffness when getting up in the morning or after a period of inactivity, lasting less than 30 minutes
  • Very early symptoms of OA are intermittent pain with strenuous activity; with time, the pain is present more often
  • Joint crepitus (grinding)

If you are experiencing one or more of these signs, see your Doctor, Pharmacist or other member of your health care team about assessing your symptoms.

A: In inflammatory arthritis, the body’s own immune system attacks healthy joints and tissues, causing inflammation and joint damage. This category includes more than 90 different types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (the most common form of inflammatory arthritis), psoriatic arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and many more.

While there are specific signs and symptoms that are associated with the different types of inflammatory arthritis, several are found in most people with inflammatory arthritis. These include:

  • Morning stiffness in and around the joints lasting at least one hour
  • Pain and stiffness in more than one joint area
  • Pain and stiffness that worsens with immobility
  • Pain and stiffness that improves with physical activity
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Joint swelling

The treatment for inflammatory arthritis can vary, depending on the type of arthritis as well as the severity of the disease.

If you are experiencing one or more of these signs, see your doctor or another member of your health care team about assessing and diagnosing your symptoms. Early diagnosis and appropriate management strategies are vital for dealing with inflammatory arthritis.

A: No, there is no known cause or cure for arthritis, but—thanks to leading research—the progression and symptoms of the disease often can be managed. Physical activity, weight management, early diagnosis and appropriate treatments are key strategies to prevent and manage arthritis, reduce disability, and improve quality of life. Learn more about Canadian efforts leading arthritis research for a cure.

Get to Know ABN

Led by Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE), the Arthritis Broadcast Network (ABN) is a multi-media platform for the arthritis community to share news, information and stories about living well with arthritis. A proven, effective, popular source of arthritis patient information and education, Arthritis Broadcast Network has the most videos and views on a Canadian YouTube arthritis channel.

We acknowledge Arthritis Research Canada for serving in an advisory capacity for the scientific content of this website.

Subscribe to Arthritis Consumer Experts’ eNewsletter

Receive the latest research-based education, information, and advocacy on arthritis prevention, treatment, and research through our JointHealthTM insight newsletter and JointHealthTM express breaking news alerts. Offered in both English and French languages.

Subscribe to Arthritis Research Canada’s quarterly eNewsletter

Receive news and updates on arthritis research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding better treatments, and improving quality of life for people with arthritis. Offered in both English and French languages.

Get to Know ABN

Led by Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE), the Arthritis Broadcast Network (ABN) is a multi-media platform for the arthritis community to share news, information and stories about living well with arthritis. A proven, effective, popular source of arthritis patient information and education, Arthritis Broadcast Network has the most videos and views on a Canadian YouTube arthritis channel.

We acknowledge Arthritis Research Canada for serving in an advisory capacity for the scientific content of this website.

Subscribe to Arthritis Consumer Experts’ eNewsletter

Receive the latest research-based education, information, and advocacy on arthritis prevention, treatment, and research through our JointHealthTM insight newsletter and JointHealthTM express breaking news alerts. Offered in both English and French languages.

Subscribe to Arthritis Research Canada’s quarterly eNewsletter

Receive news and updates on arthritis research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding better treatments, and improving quality of life for people with arthritis. Offered in both English and French languages.