Ostheoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the oldest and most common forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is affecting 20 million people in the U.S. OA is a degenerative disease of the joints, affecting the protective cartilage at the point where two joints meet and rub against one another. OA is the “wear and tear” variety of arthritis, caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage. OA may affect only a single joint or multiple joints; any joint in the body can be affected, especially fingers, the spine, and weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees.
OA is characterized by joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Symptoms are often made worse during or immediately after activity, after a long period of inactivity, or even with weather change.
Treatments for osteoarthritis range from exercise and heat therapy to over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and prescription drugs such as naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib.
Source: U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Handout of Health: Osteoarthritis July 2002 (http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/oahandout.htm)