Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) [2] develops when cartilage deteriorates and the bones rub against one another, resulting in discomfort and swelling. OA typically affects the big toe, fingers, and base of the thumb, knees, hips, lower back, and neck.
In the US, OA affects 32.5 million people, making it one of the most prevalent chronic joint diseases. Most commonly, OA affects older persons. However, OA can affect anyone. Obesity and being overweight raise OA risk. OA can also be brought on by the joints being overused, such as when playing a sport for a long time.
If your condition worsens as you engage in more activities and the more you move around after a day of activities, your doctor might start to suspect that your condition is beyond osteoarthritis.
To ease your symptoms, your doctor might prescribe some over-the-counter pain medications and recommend exercise.