What is it?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of
arthritis, affecting about 20 million people in the United States. Also called degenerative joint disease (DJD), OA is associated with joint injury and with the aging process. It is a chronic disease that causes deterioration of the joint
cartilage and the formation of new bone (bone spurs) at the edges of the joints. Cartilage and synovial fluid are meant to provide a smooth, low friction transition between the ends of bones. When cartilage loses its elasticity and wears down, joint movement becomes less smooth. Eventually cartilage can completely erode and the opposing bone ends can rub together. This leads to pain that may be intermittent or chronic, to stiffness in the morning and after rest, to small pieces of bone and fragments of cartilage in the remaining synovial fluid, and to a loss of mobility.
OA occurs equally in men and women before age 55 but more often in women after that age. It is also common in athletes who sustain multiple joint injuries over time. The primary cause is mechanical (for example, joint damage caused by running or excess weight-bearing) but, more rarely, it may be metabolic, genetic, or chemical in nature. Obesity, muscle weakness, and other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and hemochromatosis can increase the risk of developing OA and can exacerbate the symptoms associated with it. The joints most commonly affected by OA are those of the hips, knees, hands and fingers, big toe, neck, and lower back.
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