Overview
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It happens when the protective cartilage in your joints gradually wears down over time, often due to aging or repetitive use. This breakdown causes bones to rub against each other, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
How common is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide. It’s most common in adults over 50, but younger people can develop it too—especially after joint injuries.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
- Joint pain during or after movement
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
- Loss of flexibility
- A grating sensation when using the joint
- Swelling around the joint
- Bone spurs near the affected joint
What causes osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage that cushions your joints wears away. Over time, this leads to joint inflammation and pain. Contributing factors include joint injuries, obesity, and age-related changes.
What are the risk factors?
- Older age
- Joint overuse from repetitive motion
- Obesity
- Previous joint injuries
- Family history of osteoarthritis
When does osteoarthritis usually start?
Osteoarthritis typically begins after age 45, but it can start earlier if you’ve had a joint injury or overuse a particular joint through sports or work.