Arthritis
Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, often referred to as OA, is the most common form of arthritis, and is the most common reason for joint replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million Americans every year. The disease is a wear and tear condition that destroys joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis can be caused by trauma, repetitive movement, excess body weight, age; malalignment such as bowlegs or knock-knees, or for no apparent reason. Osteoarthritis usually occurs later in life and may affect only one joint or many joints.

All bone ends in every joint are covered with cartilage, a tough, lubricating tissue that allows joints to move smoothly. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to wear down, exposing raw bone ends. The result is painful bone-on-bone contact along with swelling and loss of motion. The cartilage destruction can occur quickly, over the course of several months, or may occur over several years.