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What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THREYE-tis) is the
most common type of arthritis, especially among older people.
Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis.
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly
affects the cartilage (KAR-til-uj). Cartilage is the slippery
tissue that covers the ends of bones in 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, bone spurs--small
growths called osteophytes--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 limited movement. Unlike some other forms of arthritis,
osteoarthritis affects only joints and not internal organs.
For example, rheumatoid arthritis--the second most common
form of arthritis--affects other parts of the body besides
the joints. It begins at a younger age than osteoarthritis,
causes swelling and redness in joints, and may make people
feel sick, tired, and (uncommonly) feverish.
Who
Has Osteoarthritis?
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