Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, involving cartilage breakdown, bone spur formation, and limited joint motion—particularly in weight-bearing joints like knees, hips, and the spine. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness (especially after rest), reduced flexibility, and possible bone-on-bone grinding sensations.It affects millions worldwide, especially those over 50. Risk factors include age, obesity, repetitive joint use/strain, prior injury, and genetics.
Treatment focuses on weight loss, physical therapy, NSAIDs, assistive devices, and intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic injections. Joint replacement surgery is effective for advanced disease, particularly in hips and knees. New regenerative medicine techniques may slow down the degeneration and improve the pain from osteoarthritis.