Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis normally affects older people: it is a disease where joints wear out. As the joint surface wears away, it sheds particles which stimulate the joint lining to produce fluid. This causes the joint to swell. When the joint cartilage wears away, the core of the bone becomes exposed. The exposed bone rubs against other exposed bone.

X-ray of knee with osteoarthritis.

Symptoms

Joints will be stiff and painful, and may be swollen. The pain may be worse after exercise. It may get harder to move the joint.

Managing (the disorder)

Exercise

Weight loss and exercise gives long-term treatment. Short-term treatments usually have risk of harm (in the long-term).