What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic (long-lasting) degenerative arthritic joint condition. A joint is where two bones come together. The ends of these bones are covered with protective tissue called cartilage. With OA, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones within the joint to rub together.
Osteoarthritis is caused by a reduction in the normal amount of cartilage tissue through wear and tear throughout life. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time and with age.
Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage, joint lining and ligaments, and underlying bone of a joint.
The breakdown of these tissues eventually leads to pain and joint stiffness.
The joints most often affected by osteoarthritis are those that get heavy use, such as hips, knees, hands, the spine, the base of the thumb, and the big toe joint.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis.
What are the Risk factors?
- Older age: The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
- Obesity
- Joint injuries
- Repeated stress on the joint
- Genetics
- Bone deformities
- Certain metabolic diseases
Osteoarthritis risk factors which are modifiable:
Overweight and obesity: excess weight can contribute to both the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis.
Joint injuries: damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.
Infection: many microbial agents can infect joints and trigger the development of various forms of arthritis.
Occupation: certain occupations that involve repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Pain and stiffness in the joints
- Pain that becomes worse after exercise or pressure on the joint
- Rubbing, grating, or crackling sound when a joint is moved
- Bone spurs or formation of osteophytes around the affected joint
- Morning stiffness
- Loss of joint flexibility
- Pain that causes sleep disturbances
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