What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease causing joints to wear down

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease also commonly referred to as arthrosis, osteoarthrosis or OA. The condition is caused by the protective fluid in the joint losing its shock absorbing abilities resulting in the bones rubbing against each other and the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones wearing down. Sufferers often experience pain, swelling and problems with mobility.

• Stage 1: (Doubtful) Minimum disruption but sufferers experience a 10% loss of cartilage.

• Stage 2 (Mild): Narrowing of the joint space with the cartilage beginning to breakdown and the occurrence of osteophytes (a bony projection associated with the degeneration of cartilage at joints).

• Stage 3 (Moderate): Moderate joint-space reduction where the gaps in the cartilage can expand until they reach the bone.

• Stage 4 (Severe): The joint-space is greatly reduced with around 60% loss of cartilage and large osteophytes.

Any joint in the body can be affected by OA but the most common damage is found in the knees, hips, lower back, neck, fingers and toes.

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