Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. There are several types of arthritis. The joint lining is made of cartilage. Whenever cartilage is damaged or worn, which can occur from stress, overuse, or malignment (after an injury), inflammation, swelling, irritation, and scarring result - degenerative arthritis.

Osteoarthritis occurs with similar factors, but there is a bony prominence and proliferation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease in which the soft tissue lining of joints is very swollen, inflamed, and in addition to the distortion that occurs, can actually invade and destroy the lining of the joint. All of the above phenomena that occur with arthritis are associated with pain.