GP and Health Economist Dr Alastair Dickson shares his experiences with patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee.

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is a degenerative joint condition that affects over 8 million people in the UK. This disease is the most common form of arthritis, and is particularly prevalent amongst the older population. Affecting the cartilage in a joint, osteoarthritis can result in pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

Osteoarthritis, often referred to as OA or osteoarthrosis, is the most common type of arthritis. It is often thought of as an old person’s disease, affecting only granny or grandpa. While it is true that the occurrences of osteoarthritis increase with age, anyone at any can develop the disease at any stage in life. Symptoms usually appear after the age of 40.