21/02/2025
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease usually caused by wear and tear and damage to the cartilage in the joints. With age or prolonged pressure on the joints, the cartilage within the joints gradually deteriorates, leading to increased friction between the joints, which in turn leads to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Osteoarthritis is most common in the knee, hip, spine and finger joints.
Its main symptoms include joint pain, stiffness that worsens with activity, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the joints. Factors such as overuse of joints, injury, or genetics may increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. As the disease progresses, joint stability and function may be compromised, and in severe cases, joint deformity may result.
