What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide.
It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.
Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be managed, although the damage to joints can't be reversed.
Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and some treatments might slow progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time.
Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain. Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
- Stiffness. Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
- Tenderness. Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
- Loss of flexibility.
- Grating sensation.
- Bone spurs.
- Swelling.
Factors that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:
- Older age.
- Sex.
- Obesity.
- Joint injuries.
- Repeated stress on the joint.
- Genetics.
- Bone deformities.
- Certain metabolic diseases.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925
