Arthritis is a medically generic term meaning "joint inflammation," and there are over 100 different conditions which can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation of the joints. These can include localized injury or generalized infections such as Lyme disease as well as the conditions more commonly thought of as arthritis:

--Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis and is caused by the gradual breakdown of the joint surfaces due to cumulative stress over time. The soft cartilage which allows for smooth joint motion becomes eroded, eventually progressing to bone-on-bone contact, inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues, and bone overgrowth.

--Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, the cause of which is still not entirely clear, although genetic and environmental factors seem to play a part. The inflammation begins in the soft-tissue capsule surrounding the joint, and if left untreated the damaged cells release enzymes which digest the cartilage and bone of the joint.

--Gout and related conditions result from mineral crystals forming in and around the joints as a result of certain metabolic disorders. The crystals act as tiny foreign bodies, causing irritation and inflammation.

Exercise should not be stopped because of arthritis. In fact, exercise is at the core of the treatment plan for most types of arthritis. It reduces joint pain and stiffness and increases strength, flexibility, and endurance, and this is in addition to its cardiovascular and whole-body benefits. See your doctor before starting an exercise program; different types of arthritis may respond best to different forms of exercise.
Source(s):
http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php
http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-basics
http://www.arthritis.org/exercise-intro.php


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