The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects millions of individuals around the world. When the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones breaks down over time, it causes this condition.
Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it is most typically seen in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Although the damage to joints cannot be undone, osteoarthritis symptoms may generally be controlled. Staying active, eating a nutritious diet, and receiving some treatments may help reduce disease development and improve pain and joint function.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis symptoms often appear gradually and worsen with time. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis:
Pain.
The affected joints may ache during or after movement.
Stiffness.
Joint stiffness may be more prominent when you first wake up or after a period of inactivity.
Tenderness.
When you apply light pressure to or near your joint, it may become sensitive.
Loss of flexibility.
It's possible that you won't be able to move your joint completely across its range of motion.
The sense of grating.
When you utilize the joint, you may notice a grating sensation and hear popping or cracking.
Bone spurs
These additional pieces of bone might develop around the afflicted joint and feel like hard lumps.
Swelling.
This might be due to inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint.
Causes
Osteoarthritis is caused by the slow deterioration of the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints. Cartilage is a slippery, stiff tissue that allows for nearly frictionless joint mobility. Bone will scrape against bone if the cartilage wears away completely.
Osteoarthritis is frequently described as a wear-and-tear condition. Osteoarthritis, however, affects the entire joint, not just the cartilage. It causes bone alterations and the connective tissues that hold the joint together and bind muscle to bone to deteriorate. The joint lining is also irritated.
Risk factors
Old age.
Osteoarthritis becomes more common as you get older.
Sex.
Although the reason for this is unknown, women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Obesity.
Osteoarthritis is worsened by excess body weight in several ways, and the more you weigh, the higher your risk. Weight gain puts strain on weight-bearing joints like your hips and knees. Fat tissue also produces proteins that can cause harmful inflammation in and around joints.
Injuries to the joints
Osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by injuries sustained while participating in sports or as a result of an accident. Even injuries that appear to have healed many years ago can put you at risk for osteoarthritis.
Stress on the joint regularly.
If your job or a sport you participate in inputs repetitive stress on a joint, that joint may develop osteoarthritis over time.
Genetics.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that some people inherit.
Deformities of the bones.
Some people are born with faulty cartilage or malformed joints.
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