Arthritis is a disease characterised by the inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body’s joints. Inflammation causes redness, warmth, pain and swelling.

It is estimated that around 9 million people will seek help from their family doctor each year for arthritis related conditions. (ARC: Introduction to Arthritis November 2008). Arthritis is a major cause of foot pain because each foot has 33 joints that can become affected by the disease. The primary targets for arthritis are people over the age of 50.