What Is Osteoarthritis?

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Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints and is the most common type of arthritis. It can occur in almost any joint in the body but most commonly occurs in the weight bearing joint of the hips, knees and spine. It can also affect the fingers, thumb, neck and big toe. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff which makes it more susceptible to damage and decreasing its ability to act as a shock absorber. As the cartilage deteriorates, tendons and ligaments stretch which cause pain and if the condition worsens, the bones could rub against each other. Injections of low dose corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid may be helpful in reducing joint pain and improving mobility. Treatment should be coordinated through a rheumatology specialist.