Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common problem that eventually affects almost everyone. With increasing age osteoarthritis is more common. Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage in the joint. As the cartilage degrades, bone is exposed and this becomes increasingly painful. There is no cure for osteoarthritis. All that can be done is symptomatic relief for the pain and treatments to slow the progression. One of the most significant predictors of progression of osteoarthritis is obesity, so the most important thing that can be done to slow the progression in any joint is too lessen your weight. Other approaches are drug based. Physical therapy to strengthen muscles might be helpful in some aspects..