Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine.

Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shock of movement. When you lose cartilage, your bones rub together. Over time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint. Factors that may cause osteoarthritis include

• Being overweight
• Getting older
• Injuring a joint

Therapies that manage osteoarthritis pain and improve function include exercise, weight control, rest, pain relief, alternative therapies and surgery.

From National Library of Medicine

Osteoarthritis Health Center by WebMD

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 20 million people in the U.S. alone. Here you'll find in-depth articles on osteoarthritis symptoms, causes, and treatments, including arthritis drugs and joint replacement surgery.

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