Did you know arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), arthritis impacts 60 million individuals (24% of the US population) each year! Arthritis has become widely accepted as a blanketed term for joint pain associated with general “wear and tear” or overuse over years of activity.  Arthritis Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to distinguish between the different types of arthritis and how each can be best managed to minimize symptoms and maximize function for optimal quality of life: