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Signs of Osteoarthritis
Posted: June 1, 2007
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is a joint disease that mostly affects cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over each other. It also helps absorb shock of movement. In osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together. The rubbing causes pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.
Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space, which causes more pain and damage.
People with osteoarthritis often have joint pain and reduced motion. Unlike some other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects only joints and not internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis the second most common form of arthritis affects other parts of the body besides the joints.
Osteoarthritis occurs most often in older people. Younger people sometimes get osteoarthritis primarily from joint injuries.
Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. It occurs most often in the hands, knees, hips and spine.
Warning signs of osteoarthritis are:
Stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time
Swelling or tenderness in one or more joints
A crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing on bone
No single test can diagnose osteoarthritis. Most doctors use several methods to diagnose the disease and rule out other problems:
Medical history
Physical exam
X-rays
Other tests such as blood tests or exams of the fluid in the joints
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases
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