The painful and debilitating condition that is arthritis
Cartilage breakdown: With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down.
Who's most at risk: Women are more prone to OA than men.
Reduced function and disability: In extreme cases of OA, severe loss of cartilage leads to bone rubbing on bone to alter the shape of the joint.
Other risk factors: But OA takes no prisoners.
What is arthritis: Arthritis is a disease that affects your joints.
Formation of osteophytes: Later still, pain and discomfort worsen as stiffness and swelling kick in.
A degenerative joint disease: Osteoarthritis is sometimes referred to as a degenerative joint disease, associated as it is with the "wear and tear" of joints in the hands, hips, and knees.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease and the second most common form of the disorder.
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis.
A painful process: Over time, the cartilage starts to roughen and thin out, meaning that the tendons and ligaments have to work harder.