Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that causes joints to become stiff and painful. Millions of people have this condition1, so, if you have been diagnosed with it, you are not alone!
OA causes the smooth cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your bones to break down. In severe cases, your cartilage thins so much that your bones may begin to rub against each other. The lubricating ability of the natural fluid in your knee diminishes, and the cartilage no longer cushions the joint as well as it once did.1 This results in stiffness, swelling, and pain that can make walking difficult.
Your family history, age, weight and any knee injuries you may have had can all play a role in developing OA of the knee.
Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee
If you have one or more of these symptoms in your knee, you may have OA:
- Aches and pains, especially with motion
- Stiffness, especially in the morning and when standing up
- “Grating” or “catching” sensations
- Limited motion
- Swelling
- For this and other information please see http://www.arthritis.org/
If you experience any of the above, talk to your health care provider.
