What is osteoarthritis?

BY Bruce Shane 6 July, 2007

the above image shows the wear and tear of a hip joint which leads to Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) – is the most common form of arthritis. It usually develops gradually, over time. Several different joints can be affected, but osteoarthritis is most frequently seen in the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine. There is no known cause for osteoarthritis, but it is more common among women. OA can develop at any age, although it occurs more frequently in older people. Injury to a joint can also trigger OA, even many years later. There are a number of things you can do to relieve the symptoms, and especially the pain. Here are the most common prescribed treatments.

* Analgesics (painkillers) which relieve pain.
* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which reduce inflammation and, in turn, pain.
* Steroids, which also reduce inflammation, and can be directly injected into a joint for fast relief.