World Arthritis Day – October 12, 2026

History of World Arthritis Day

World Arthritis Day was brought about by the Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis is derived from the Greek words ‘arthro,’ meaning ‘joint,’ and ‘itis,’ meaning ‘inflammation.’ Arthritis is a condition involving inflammation of the joints. It can affect any living thing that has bones. Evidence shows that ankle arthritis was present in dinosaurs and that it has been present in humans for at least as far back as 4500 B.C.! In fact, it was one of the most common afflictions of prehistoric peoples. It was first closely examined and classified in William Musgrave’s work “De Arthritide Symptomatica,” written in 1715.

For conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, there is no cure, although regular exercise and weight reduction can suppress the effects. There is, of course, a pharmaceutical aid that focuses on reducing the pain of the condition rather than seeking to remove it; physical therapy also helps. For a person suffering from arthritis, movement becomes difficult. Yet they must exercise and keep their joints mobile, to reduce inflammation, which has shown marked improvements in the long-term relief of the pain associated with it.

Many associate arthritis with the elderly and the health concerns that affect them. This is mostly correct, as statistical evidence shows that those over 65 are in fact the primary sufferers. But 30% of all sufferers are under the age of 65, with some of them being teenagers and, though rarely, infants.