What is Osteoarthritis?

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Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a condition that involves the breakdown of joint cartilage. Often the cause is unknown, but osteoarthritis may develop as a result of injury to the joint, excess body weight, or years of wear and tear on the joint cartilage. As joint cartilage wears away, the bones begin to make painful bone on bone contact. The early stages of osteoarthritis can be treated with a variety of conservative, non-surgical treatments. However, as the joint cartilage continues to wear away and the symptoms of osteoarthritis become more severe, surgery may be recommended to correct the damaged bone and cartilage.

What are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip?

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

  • Severe hip pain that limits everyday activity
  • Pain in the groin
  • Hip pain at night causing sleeplessness
  • Chronic swelling of the hip with morning stiffness
  • Grinding pain during movement
What are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee?

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

  • Severe knee pain that limits everyday activity
  • Knee pain at night causing sleeplessness
  • Progressive deformity of the leg (bowing of leg inward or outward)
  • Chronic swelling of the knee with morning stiffness
  • Catching or locking of knee
  • Grinding pain during movement