الفهرس 
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Abstract
Arthritis is a comprehensive term for most of the joint pathology causing joint symptoms or dysfunction. There are more than 150 type of disorders classified under arthritis umbrella; nevertheless, the most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA)(1, 2) which is the main cause of disability in elderly people over the age of 65 years. In 2012, over 25 % of the USA population over the age of 45 was afflicted with OA. This number is anticipated to increase to almost 30 % by the year 2032. Furthermore, it is predicted that OA will be the fourth main reason for disability by 2020. OA not only shortens the number of healthy years of life but also increases mortality and comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease.(3, 4) Beside the physical disablement, OA causes a significant financial burden to patients and the healthcare system. Healthcare costs related to OA totaled over $60 billion in 2007, and the aggregate cost of OA is expected to grow to $185.5 billion per year.(5-7) OA is a complex process or disease, its pathological changes start at the molecular scale and spread to the higher levels of the architecture of articular cartilage to cause progressive and irreversible structural and functional damage of one or more synovial joints.(8) A clear understanding of joint anatomy and OA physiopathology is necessary to design new treatments for OA patients.