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Osteoarthritis
This information is for people who have osteoarthritis, their
families, and others interested in learning more about the disorder.
This describes osteoarthritis and its symptoms and contains information
about diagnosis and treatment, as well as current research efforts
supported by the National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and other components of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes
of Health (NIH). It also discusses pain relief, exercise, and quality
of life for people with osteoarthritis. If you have further questions
after reading this, you may wish to discuss them with your doctor.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THREYE-tis) is the most common type of arthritis, and is seen especially among older people. Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis.
Osteoarthritis mostly affects cartilage (KAR-til-uj), the hard but
slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a
joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It
also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. In
osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears
away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing
pain, swelling, and loss
of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape.
Also, small deposits of bone - called osteophytes or bone spurs - may
grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off
and float inside the joint space. This causes more pain and damage.
People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and some movement limitations. Unlike some other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis affects only joint function and does not affect skin tissue, the lungs, the eyes, or the blood vessels.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form of arthritis,
the immune system attacks the tissues of the joints, leading to pain,
inflammation, and eventually joint damage and malformation. It
typically begins at a younger age than osteoarthritis, causes swelling
and redness in joints, and may make people feel sick, tired, and
uncommonly feverish.
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