ADVANCED HEALTH

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a degenerative disease that mostly affects the cartilage of joints. Cartilage is a slippery tissue that covers the bones in a joint so as to allow them to glide over each other as well as absorb shocks.

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When the cartilage breaks or wears away, the exposed bones then grind and rub over each other causing pain and swelling due to which a person has trouble moving his damaged joint. Over time the shape of the joint may also get abnormal. The broken bits of bone or cartilage float inside the joint space, causing more pain and damage.

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Unlike other forms of arthritis, Osteoarthritis affects only a patient’s joints and doesn’t hit any of the internal organs. Although this occurs mostly in old people, younger people may also develop it occasionally if there is a joint injury.

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The exact causes are unknown, but it could happen due to factors like being overweight, old age, injury to the joint, genetic defect, stress on the joint, lack of proper joint control, etc.

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There is no test to diagnose Osteoarthritis as such. Doctors use medical history, examine symptoms, get X-rays and test blood or other fluids in the joint to come close to finding out whether someone has it. The treatment generally includes exercise, weight control, rest and joint care or ultimately surgery.