What is Osteoarthritis?

So what is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common of all the arthritis
ailments especially among older people. It is usually
referred to as the “degenerative joint disease.”
Osteoarthritis usually effect’s the cartilage which is
the “slippery tissue” that covers the ends on the bones
in a joint.
Healthy normal joints would just “glide” as in, allow the
joints (bones) to move freely and glide with out any
problems. It also absorbs the “shock” when some one is
doing something physical like jumping climbing,
walking etc. A healthy joint experiences no pain,
swelling or discomfort.

What happens when someone gets Osteoarthritis is that
the surface layer of the cartilage breaks down and wears
away, thus allowing the bones under the cartilage to rub
together.
Which will eventually aggravate the joint area and cause
swelling, pain and loss of motion.
Over a period of time the joint would become malformed and
bony spurs (small growths called osteophytes) may grow on
the edges of the joint. Eventually causing bits of bone to
break off and float around inside the joint space. Hence as
stated before cause more pain, swelling and damage.

Unlike Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis affects only
Joints and not internal organs. Most people with
Osteoarthritis usually live with chronic joint pain have
limited movement and an inability to do tasks like
kneeling and crawling etc

How would you know if you have Osteoarthritis? Well other
then the obvious signs of pain and inability to do normal
tasks.
Usually the symptoms come on slowly and you would only
experience aching joints after physical work or exercise.
Osteoarthritis can appear any joint but most often found
in the hands, knees hips and spine.

More then 20 million Americans have Osteoarthritis and is one of the
most frequent causes of physcial disabilities among adults. some young
people could get Osteoarthritis earlier in life from their physical
activties and joint injuries.
Both men and women are equal in the fact that they have shown
evidence of osteoarthritis via xrays in at least one joint, but
after the age of 45 more women are found with the disorder.


Osteoarthritis