
Osteoarthritis
is a
disease that affects joints in the body. It can involve any joints, but
usually concerns hands and weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees,
feet and spine. It is caused by breakdown of the cartilage, the tissue
that covers bones in a joint. Osteoarthritis most often occurs in the
hands (at the ends of the fingers and thumbs), spine (neck and lower
back), knees, and hips.
Cartilage
is
the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones.
In healthy joints cartilage acts as a shock absorber when your weight
is exerted on the joint. The slippery surface of the cartilage allows
the bones to move smoothly. When a joint problem develops
osteoarthritis the cartilage gradually wears out and the bone
underneath thickens.
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