Osteoarthritis

What Is Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis or OA, is also called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, and is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 27 million Americans. In osteoarthritis, deterioration of joint cartilage – the cushioning for bone ends in joints – causes bones to rub against each other, creating friction that can result in pain, inflammation, stiffness, and damage to the ligaments or bone.

    There are two forms of osteoarthritis: primary and secondary:

  • In primary osteoarthritis, cartilage breakdown is caused by the natural wear and tear of aging.
  • In secondary osteoarthritis, cartilage breakdown is caused by another disease or condition such as obesity, gout, diabetes, or repeated trauma.

The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age, affecting only 13.95% of the 25 and older population, and 33.6% of the 65 and older population.

What Causes Osteoarthritis

Risk Factors For Osteoarthritis

Diagnosing Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Prognosis

Living With Osteoarthritis

Screening

Prevention

Medication And Treatment

Complementary and Alternative Treatment

When To Contact A Doctor

Questions For A Doctor