It affects more people than other types of arthritis. It is also known as degenerative joint disease and also as old age arthritis. Many physicians also termed as osteoarthrosis. This type of arthritis mainly affects the cartilage; it results in the breakdown of cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is and elastic protein substance that serves as a support between bones of the joints. In a normal joint elastic material cartilage covers the ends of the bones where they meet. Cartilage enables the bones to slide over each other and provide flexibility to the joints. In osteoarthritis the surface layer of cartilage wears away and breaks down resulting in painful movement of the joints. The end of the bones develops outgrowths and the membranes and ligaments around the bones become thick. This results in change of shape and structure of the joints. It can occur in any joint but the most affected joints are the knees, hips and lumbar spine. It also affects the joints of the fingers, base of the thumb and the big toe of the feet. Osteoarthritis can be categorized as primary and secondary. The primary type can occur without any particular cause and the secondary type have many causes of occurrence. Women are more susceptible to primary one and may start in the early years of life. Osteoarthritis is believed to result from structural changes in the articular cartilage in the joints. It is generalized and affects small joints such as fingers and toes. There is no particular cure for osteoarthritis. The main goal is to control the development of the disease or slow its progress. For this purpose certain drugs like aspirin, special exercises, rest, heat and proper diet are highly beneficial.

Symptoms for Osteoarthritis

The major symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in and around the joints. The type of pain varies. It may be a feeling of soreness, continuous pain or may be pain while moving the joints. The pain is usually caused by the pressure on the nerve endings due to the damage of the cartilage of the bones. The other main symptom is the reduced moveability of the sore joints. Various other symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

• Swelling of the joints
• Leg cramps
• Stiffness of joints in the early morning
• Weight loss
• Liver disturbances
• Impairment in the functioning of the gall bladder
• Arterisclerosis
• Allergies especially red itching patches on the face

Causes for Osteoarthritis

• Trauma or an injury of the joints
• Continuous physical stress on the joints
• Obesity
• Endocrine disorders
• Calcium deficiency
• Shortage of hydrochloric acid
• Alkaline body chemistry
• Various abnormalities in joint structure