Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common chronic condition of the joints. Osteoarthritis can affect multiple joints, but commonly affects the knees, hips, fingers, lower back and thumbs. Normally, there is a layer of connective tissue that covers the joint known as hyaline cartilage. This cartilage acts as a lubricant allowing smooth gliding and joint cushioning between the two bones. In conditions such as osteoarthritis, the cartilage starts to thin and wear down, thus the effects of joint cushioning, joint lubrication and smooth gliding is reduced. This can start to cause symptoms of swelling, pain between the joints, stiffness and difficulty moving the joints. When this happens the bones can try to react to create more bone foundation to help support itself by creating bone spurs, which can further lead to more pain and stiffness.