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Conditions InDepth: Osteoarthritis

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Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With Osteoarthritis Resource Guide

Articular cartilage is the tissue located at the end of bones. It can deteriorate over time. This causes a common condition called osteoarthritis. It becomes worse over time. It can be debilitating.

Normally, cartilage is the shock absorber in a joint. It absorbs energy from jarring movement, protecting the bone and other tissue in the area. Cartilage is naturally a very slippery material. It helps the joint glide smoothly. When the cartilage begins to show wear and tear, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed and painful. This makes the joint stiff.

Joints Affected by Osteoarthritis
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Osteoarthritis is an extremely common ailment of aging. In fact, it’s the most common joint condition throughout the world. Researchers believe that there are more than 20 million people with osteoarthritis in the US alone. More than half of all people over the age of 65 have arthritis in at least one joint. Researchers think that nearly everyone over the age of 75 has some degree of osteoarthritis. If you’ve had an injury to a joint, you may develop osteoarthritis at a younger age.

What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?What are the treatments for osteoarthritis?Are there screening tests for osteoarthritis?How can I reduce my risk of osteoarthritis?What questions should I ask my doctor?What is it like to live with osteoarthritis?Where can I get more information about osteoarthritis?

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/ .

  • Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

  • Conn’s Current Therapy . 54th ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2002.

  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/ .

  • Manek NJ, Lane NE. Osteoarthritis: current concepts in diagnosis and management. American Family Physician . 2000;51(6). Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000315/1795.html.