osteoarthritis
Cartilage wears away
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, caused by gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints.
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which involves immune system malfunction, osteoarthritis results from mechanical wear over time.
It typically affects weight-bearing joints—knees, hips, spine—and the hands, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility: Her osteoarthritis flares up in cold weather.
Flexible connective body tissue
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- crepitusCrackling from friction inside
- erosionGradual wearing away
- synovitisInflamed joint membrane
hyaline · collagen · matrix · deterioration · ankylosis · narrowing
Resistance to deformation
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
Leg's middle hinge
Growing older over time
Penetrating diagnostic beam
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- radiographImage from radiation exposure
- imagingProducing visual representations
- rheumatologistJoint disease specialist
Drugs that reduce pain
- NSAIDsOver-the-counter pain class
- acetaminophenCommon over-the-counter analgesic
- glucosamineAmino sugar in cartilage
- chondroitinCartilage-building molecule
cartilage
Flexible connective body tissue
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- crepitusCrackling from friction inside
- erosionGradual wearing away
synovitis · hyaline · collagen · matrix · deterioration · ankylosis · narrowing
stiffness
Resistance to deformation
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- achePersistent dull discomfort
discomfort · grating · flare-ups · weakness
knee
Leg's middle hinge
fingers · thumb · cervical · lumbar · shoulder · ankle · wrist
aging
Growing older over time
X-ray
Penetrating diagnostic beam
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- radiographImage from radiation exposure
- imagingProducing visual representations
analgesics
Drugs that reduce pain
- NSAIDsOver-the-counter pain class
- acetaminophenCommon over-the-counter analgesic
- glucosamineAmino sugar in cartilage
- health conditionsdiabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma, hypertension
- orthopedicsorthopedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery, bone fracture, joint replacement, hip replacement
- arthritisgout, rheumatism, rheumatoid, psoriatic, spondylitis
- arthritis symptomsjoint pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling, morning stiffness, stiffness
- Bone Ailmentsbone fracture, fracture, fractures, bone cancer, bone spur
- Bone Diseasesosteomyelitis, osteosarcoma, osteonecrosis, osteopenia, bone cancer