Overview
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that often affects older people. It is characterized by pain in the joints [1] of the fingers, knees, hips, and other body parts. Almost everyone will develop osteoarthritis at some point in their lives. The extent of damage and observable symptoms is what differs. You may hear osteoarthritis called by its other names: degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint arthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis.
This type of arthritis is caused by the erosion of the cartilage surrounding the bones in your joints. This cartilage breaks down over the years due to wear and tear. When your bones begin to grind against each other without adequate cushioning, you may start to experience symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and inflammation. The condition can be debilitating, resulting in disability in some people.
Sadly, there is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are ways to treat the condition. These treatments do not reverse the damage, but they can slow the progression. The available treatments for osteoarthritis are discussed below.