Osteoarthritis is an extremely common and potentially debilitating progressive condition. In osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage (the tissue located at the end of bones) deteriorates over time.
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 an exceedingly slippery material and helps the joint glide smoothly. When the cartilage begins to show “wear and tear,” the synovium or lining of the joint becomes inflamed and painful, and the joint stiff.
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 United States 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.
Last reviewed February 2007 by
Robert E. Leach, MD
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