Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis and is also known as degenerative joint disease or Osteoarthritis. It is commonly found in older peoples and especially more in women. This is a disease affecting cartilage in the joints. Cartilage or soft bone is a type of slippery tissue that covers end region of a bone which comes in contact with the other. This is the tissue that helps bones to slide over in joints. It also acts as a shock absorber in joints as these are regions where pressure gets exerted. In Osteoarthritis patients, the cartilage tissue will get damaged due to wear and tear. This will result in direct contact of hard regions of bones. Rubbing of bones in this manner will cause severe pain, inflammation or swelling and disability in joint movements. Continuous abrasion of bones will result in loss of shape of bones. The chance of formation of small growth, called osteophytes-bone spurs on the edge region of bones are also common. Breaking off of small pieces of bones will increase the pain. It will also result in floating of these broken pieces within joint space.
Osteoarthritis will limit usual movements of bones and joints. This type of arthritis differs from other in limiting the area it affects. Osteoarthritis affects only joints and not any other internal organs. But rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that affects not only joints but other regions also. Osteoarthritis usually affects end region of fingers, thumbs, lower back, neck, knees and hip portions.
Osteoarthritis is considered as the most common type of arthritis among adults. It is estimated that more than twenty million people in U.S are suffering from this condition. Statistical data also predict that by 2030, around 20 percent of U.S population after the age of 65 will take treatment for osteoarthritis. Joint injuries can cause osteoarthritis among youngsters. But it is not common and never comes above 1 percent of total patients. Among people above the age of 65, more than 50 percent would show signs of osteoarthritis in X-ray results. It is also interesting to see that men below the age of 45 are more prone to the disease than women, while it is vice versa after the age of 45. Osteoarthritis will result in changes of lifestyle and brings huge financial commitment along with disabilities in physical movements. |
