False-colour X-ray of the hands of a person suffering from extreme rheumatoid arthritis affecting the joints of all the fingers in both hands. This is known as polyarthritis because it affects more than one joint. Arthritis is defined as the inflammation of one or more joints, characterized by swelling, warmth, redness of overlying skin, pain, & subsequent restriction of movement. Treatment usually involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, but these are of little value in severe & crippling cases such as this one.