n. any inflammation of a joint, often accompanied by pain, and muscle and bone stiffness around the affected joint. There are several identified types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic systemic form of the disease that is associated with inflammatory changes throughout the body's connective tissues. Another type is osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease affecting mainly weight-bearing joints and caused by wear and tear on the joint tissues over time. The psychosocial effects of arthritis, which can be chronic, painful, recurrent, and debilitating, can include lifestyle changes, activity reduction, stress on personal relationships, and depression.