Musculoskeletal disease is the major cause of disability and handicap in Australia, and arthritis is the most prevalent form of musculoskeletal disease.

There is a widely held misconception that arthritis (or rheumatism) is "something that happens to old people, which makes them a bit sore". Nothing could be further from the truth, anyone from as young as six months of age can develop arthritis. Most sufferers however will get it between age 15 and 65 - "the productive years".

The effects of arthritis are far greater than making one a "bit sore". Arthritis is a life sentence, a condition that impacts negatively on a person's quality of life and includes varying degrees of discomfort and pain.

It is well known that the incidence of arthritis increases with age, but the incidence of juvenile arthritis is not nearly as well appreciated.

"Arthritis" is a general term that refers to disorder of one or more joints. There are more than 100 known types of arthritis, of which five account for 90 per cent of cases:

	osteoarthritis (OA)
	rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
	fibromyalgia
	systemic lupus erythematosus
	gout

One peculiarly Australian form of arthritis, Ross River virus, is increasing in incidence with global warming.

These diseases can make even the simplest of tasks arduous and painful chores. Many employees with arthritis rarely reach their potential in their workplace and invariably retire young, relying on the help of family and friends to perform the tasks of daily living.

Arthritis often strikes young women after pregnancy and childbirth, resulting in severe pain and disruption to family life. When children are affected, they can develop lifelong disabilities.