General osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which joint tissues deteriorate over time. It is the most common type of arthritis affecting mainly older people. It is very common, with a prevalence of 26% of the population over 50 years of age.

Osteoarthritis is caused by degeneration of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the joints. The function of this cartilage is to allow joint movement with virtually no friction. Among the factors that can contribute to the appearance of this pathology are:

• Age, being more frequent from the age of 50 years.
• Sex, since women are more prone to suffer it.
• Obesity and overweight.
• Joint injuries, such as those that occur when practicing sports or by accident.
• Jobs or sports that subject the joint to repetitive efforts.
• Bone malformations, such as legs of unequal length.
• Certain diseases such as diabetes or hemochromatosis.

Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it is much more common in the hands, knees, hips and spine. Among the most common symptoms are:

• Joint pain and stiffness.
• Swelling of the area.
• Crunching of the joint with movement.
• Decreased joint function.
• Presence of osteophytes, which are bony protrusions that may form around the affected joint.

Although it is difficult to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, there are measures that can help slow its progression such as:

• Weight loss, if necessary.
• Practicing low-impact exercise on a regular basis.
• Good control of diseases such as diabetes.
• Avoiding joint injuries.
• Paying attention to pain and resting the joint when needed.
• Use assistive devices (such as a cane) or physical therapy.