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  • About Arthritis
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    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

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    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

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    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

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    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercising Stairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

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    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

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    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

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    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

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    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

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    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

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“Real Housewives” Star Emily Simpson’s Hip New Reality

Emily Simpson is used to pressure. On The Real Housewives of Orange County ( RHOC ), she regularly navigates the drama and intense scrutiny that come with being part of a reality show. Yet even the stress of having cameras document her every move didn’t compare to the difficulties of living with chronic arthritis pain.

Two years ago, the 44-year-old attorney and mother of a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old twins began feeling pain and stiffness in her left hip. Walking long distances increased her discomfort, so she began taking shortcuts, like parking her car as close as possible when she drove her daughter, Annabelle, to school. On family outings to the movie theater, Emily (whose husband, Shane, is the father of her two “bonus daughters” – Chanel, 14, and Shelby, 19) would call dibs on the aisle seat so she could comfortably stretch her legs.

“I modified so many aspects of my life,” she admits. “When you have chronic pain, every second of the day is a struggle.”

A Growing Problem
Emily initially believed the pain in her left hip and leg were the result of a pulled muscle.

“I took Advil for my pain but it got increasingly worse,” she says. “I reached the point where I couldn’t lie down or even tie my shoes without assistance from my husband.”

The emotional impact finally caught up with Emily last year as she saw her quality of life plummet. Working out with her personal trainer left her wincing in agony, and she found herself having to tell her twins, Luke and Keller, that she didn’t feel well enough to play with them. On RHOC , she was open about her struggles with pain and discomfort and kept pushing through.

“I reached the point where the combination of pain and immobility left me feeling depressed,” Emily says. “I lost my motivation and quit working out with my personal trainer. As a result, I gained 20 pounds.”

The extra weight only added to her discomfort. To add insult to injury, Emily slipped on some confetti at the December 2018 RHOC finale and fell on her already painful hip. Thinking she may have sustained a fracture, she visited her doctor and was surprised when X-rays showed her left hip had no cartilage.

“My mom had hip replacement surgery last year at the age of 67, but I didn’t expect to have hip surgery at my age,” Emily says. “My doctor said I had a misshaped hip bone that led to cartilage damage and early arthritis.”

Small Goals, Big Success
Emily’s hip condition, known as femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), can result in chronic pain and is associated with progressive osteoarthritis of the hip.

“The reason her hip wore out prematurely is because her left hip had an abnormal shape,” says her orthopedic surgeon, Chris Mellano, MD. Her other hip, which has had the same amount of use over her lifetime, “looks perfect; it’s not worn out because it’s shaped normally.”

He told Emily that hip replacement surgery was the best option to ease her pain and help her resume her active lifestyle, and in June 2019, knowing surgery was inevitable, Emily pledged to lose the extra pounds she’d packed on.

“Being healthy and lean and strong is always good before a surgery like that,” says Dr. Mellano.

“I knew that even though it hurt to move, I needed to lose weight and relieve the pressure on my left hip and move daily in order to combat arthritis,” Emily says.

When she heard about a 12-week fitness/weight loss program offered by a local fitness trainer, Paulina Taylor Hefferan, Emily decided to give it a try.

“Paulina helped me to adapt exercises, so, for example, I would do upper body push-ups leaning against the wall rather than on the floor,” Emily says. “I worked out with Paulina three times a week and she helped me set small weekly goals, so it didn’t seem overwhelming.”

She also cleaned up her diet. She stopped eating “on the run” foods, like leftover mac and cheese, and started eating more mindfully, using a list of healthy food swaps and a nutrition guide.

New Hip, Hooray!
Soon, Emily saw the extra pounds coming off, and last October she underwent hip replacement surgery. Although she was nervous prior to the procedure, she was also excited at the thought of finally living pain-free.

“I did experience some pain post-surgery, but my mom, my husband and children all took good care of me as I recovered,” she says.

A new hip helped correct her musculoskeletal mechanics, so the chronic knee pain she also had experienced has “drastically improved,” Dr. Mellano says.

Her surgery and recovery were fairly typical except that she is younger than the average hip replacement patient, he says. “The public thinks of hip replacement as something that Grandma and Grandpa do, and while that’s true, implants are much less invasive and last much longer.”

He advises younger patients like Emily to have joint replacement surgery sooner rather than waiting. “The improvement in quality of life is tremendous.”

It has been for Emily. Three weeks after surgery, she attended the RHOC season 14 reunion (in a wheelchair to avoid overdoing it). Five weeks after surgery, she was still sore but was walking without a limp for the first time in two years.

Now that Emily no longer has hip pain, she’s looking forward to being active again.

“I want to do things I hadn’t been able to do for a while,” she says. “Walking was a struggle, but now I want to go hiking with my kids, take them to Disneyland and live an active life!” — LINDA CHILDERS

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Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

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Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

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Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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