Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people throughout the globe. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine. Osteoarthritis symptoms can generally be managed, however, the damage to joints is irreversible.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and get worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include: • Pain. During or after movement affected joints might hurt • Stiffness. Upon awakening or after being inactive Joint stiffness is felt. • Tenderness. When you apply light pressure to or near it, your joint may feel tender. • Loss of flexibility. Restricted movement of joint through its full range of motion. • Grating sensation. Feeling of grating sensation while using the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling. • Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint. • Swelling. This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

Causes

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually worsens. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Ultimately, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone. Osteoarthritis has often been denoted to as a wear and tear disease. But besides the breakdown of cartilage, osteoarthritis affects the entire joint. It causes changes in the bone and worsening of the connective tissues that hold the joint together and attach muscle to bone. It also causes inflammation of the joint lining.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include: • Older age. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age. • Sex. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn’t clear why. • Obesity. Increased weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees. Also, fat tissue produces proteins that can cause harmful inflammation in and around your joints. • Joint injuries. Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. • Repeated stress on the joint. If your job or a sport you play places repetitive stress on a joint, that joint might eventually develop osteoarthritis. • Genetics. Some people inherit a tendency to develop osteoarthritis. • Bone deformities. Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage. • Certain metabolic diseases. These include diabetes and a condition in which your body has too much iron (hemochromatosis).