| An Introduction to Osteoarthritis |
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Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation in joints. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. |
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The "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis, is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body. It most commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees and spine. It can also affect the fingers, thumb, neck and large toe. It usually does not affect other joints unless previous injury or excessive stress is involved. |
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Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints and serves as a "shock absorber." The shock-absorbing quality of normal cartilage comes from its ability to change shape when compressed (flattened or pressed together). |
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Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making it more susceptible to damage. Over time, the cartilage may wear away in some areas, greatly decreasing its ability to act as a shock absorber. As the cartilage deteriorates, tendons and ligaments stretch, causing pain. If the condition worsens, the bones could rub against each other. |
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| Causes |
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| It is not clear why the cartilage of some joints deteriorate but these factors may play a role: |
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Age. Osteoarthritis (OA) becomes more common as we get older.
Most people affected are older than 45 years. |
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Genetics. There may be an inherited tendency for OA to develop in some people. |
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Obesity. OA of the knee and hip are more likely to develop in people who are overweight. |
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High impact activity. People who participate in certain sports involving repetitive, high impact activity such as soccer, cycling, wrestling and gymnastics have a higher risk of developing OA. |
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| Signs and Symptoms |
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OA most commonly affects the knees, hips, fingers and spine and usually affects joints on one side of the body differently from the other side. The main symptom is joint pain that worsens during physical activity and improves with rest. |
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Morning stiffness is another common symptom. The stiffness usually goes away within 30 minutes of rising, but may come back throughout the day during periods of inactivity. |
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Other symptoms of OA include loss of joint motion, tenderness and a crackling sensation. Swelling and inflammation of affected joints can occur, but large joint swellings are unusual in OA. Changes in the shape of the joints are also uncommon, but sometimes develop. |
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