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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the progressive breakdown of cartilage, the tissue that protects and cushions joints. It is the most common form of arthritis and a major cause of disability in older adults. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage gradually breaks down until the bones (formerly separated by the cartilage) rub against each other. This causes damage to the bones and underlying tissue, resulting in painful joints.
Osteoarthritis most often affects the fingers, hips, knees, or spine.
Symptoms include:
- Pain, commonly in the hands, hips, or knees but also in the spine. The pain is usually related to activity of the joint and is worse at the end of the day or after periods of activity. As the disease progresses, pain is present even during rest.
- Stiffness (lasting less than 30 minutes) after long periods of inactivity, such as in the morning after a night's sleep.
- Limited motion of the joint.
- Tenderness and occasional swelling caused by fluid in or around the joint (synovial edema).
- Enlargement of joints, such as the development of bony knobs on the finger joints.
- Grinding sensation with movement (crepitus).
The symptoms of osteoarthritis can usually be successfully managed with medication and home treatment. Although osteoarthritis most often gets worse, in some cases symptoms may not get worse or may even improve slightly with time.
Virtual Classroom Content Copyright (c) 2006, MDNetlink.com. All rights reserved.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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