Newsroom | Community Health
Office Visit: Love Your Joints With Arthritis Prevention and Management
May 14, 2026
Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 60 million people. Every May, we share the importance of research, education and treatment for this disease to support those affected.
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints, tissue around the joints and connective tissue. There are more than 100 types of arthritis-related diseases. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 1 in 4 people have an arthritis-related diagnosis. Additionally, two-thirds of those diagnosed are younger than 65, including thousands of children. Nearly half of those diagnosed with arthritis can't do everyday activities, limiting their ability to work and participate socially.
Arthritis symptoms usually include joint pain and stiffness. If you are experiencing these, speak with your health care provider. An early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce severity and potentially prevent it from worsening.
Although no cure for arthritis exists, there are ways to manage the symptoms. Things you can do to help manage arthritis include:
Being physically active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. This can help reduce pain, improve function and delay physical disabilities that are caused by arthritis.
Maintaining a healthy weight. Keeping a healthy weight is important to maintaining physical function and slowing arthritis symptoms.
Todd Hoffman, M.D.
If you are overweight, even a small amount of weight loss can reduce arthritis symptoms.
Protecting your joints. Avoid activities that could injure your joints such as repetitive motions. Repetitive motions in sports or at work can increase your risk of osteoarthritis or worsening it.
If you are one of the 60 million people with arthritis, talk with your health care provider and develop a plan for managing your symptoms to maintain a healthy and full life.
Let’s make it a good month.
Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.