Arthritis would seem to be a simple mechanical failure of our bodies. Through wear and tear, the cartilage wears out in certain joints -- primarily the hip, knee, lower back, neck and hands -- leading to stiffness, pain and eventually almost total immobility.Â

Dear Dr. Donohue — My 63-year-old daughter has a disease called Reiter's syndrome. She can hardly use her left hand to write. She's a lefty. Her knees are inflamed and swollen. She has trouble walking.

Melanie Hutt had to live with this crippling pain for two years before a GP spotted it might be rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.3 million Americans, and is two to three times more common among women. It is a chronic disease that affects the joints, primarily those in the hands, wrists, feet, shoulders and knees.

Arthritis. The word conjures up images of senior citizens complaining about sore hands or knees.