The Facts
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that causes the cartilage to break down and the bone to overgrow or form cysts. Cartilage is a smooth, shiny material that lines the joints - allowing them to glide easily as you move. It is a type of resilient connective tissue that covers and protects the ends of bones in joints. Although OA can affect any joint in the body, it most frequently affects the hips, knees, hands, feet, and spine.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. OA is the most common form of arthritis. It affects almost 14% of adults in this country. Statistics show that men and women are affected in equal numbers. OA usually occurs after the age of 45, but it can occur earlier in life, and even be seen in the spines of teenagers. It occurs in all people of either gender. After menopause, women tend to get more severe and complicated problems.
Risk factors for developing OA include:
- being overweight
- having a family member with the condition
- having another form of arthritis
- increasing age
- repeated injury to the joint through sports or work
There's no cure for OA, though research is beginning to unravel the mechanisms of the disease, which should lead to new treatments. Treatments currently focus on managing pain, reducing the load on the joints, and improving the strength of the muscles supporting the joints. Experimental therapies try to slow the progression of the disease and increase the mobility and flexibility of the joints.