Examining the back of a small painting is no big deal for art dealer Mark Sublette, but osteoarthritis in his back and shoulder make lifting anything bigger a painful experience.

"I think it has affected me on how I lift things, I'm very careful about sculpture," said Mark Sublette, an Osteoarthisritis patient.

Osteoarthritis is a de-generative joint disease. Over time, patients lose cartilage that cushions the bones, resulting in bone against bone exposure and pain.

"It is the number one cause of chronic pain and disability now, it is only going to get worse, that's why I want people to start thinking about this at a young age," said Dr. Jason Theodosakis, an Arthritis expert.

Mark was diagnosed in his 30s, now 48, he follows the doctor's advice to prevent flare-ups.

"Keeping your weight down, taking glucosamine and chondroitin, doing low impact exercises that help strengthen the joints, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, those are all things that can help prevent arthritis," said Dr. Theodosakis.

There's no cure for osteoarthritis, but Mark has learned going easy on his joints has made all the difference in relieving the pain.