Part 4: Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by inflammation and damage to the affected joints.

Normal activities in life cause joints to suffer constant low-level damage, which in most cases the body repairs itself and no symptoms are experienced.
However, in osteoarthritis the protective cartilage on the ends of bones breaks down and this causes pain, swelling (inflammation) and difficulties in moving the affected joints. See picture below.

It can affect any joint in the body, but mostly affects knees, hips, finger joints and toes.

Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men.

Osteoarthritis can develop at any age but is most common in people over 40 years.

A doctor can diagnose osteoarthritis.

Note: Osteoarthritis is different to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is where the bones become weak, fragile and more likely to break.