Health Information
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Understanding This Symptom
Medical Definition
Subject Matter Expert Verified
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, changes in subchondral bone, and joint dysfunction.
It primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, hands, and spine, causing joint pain, stiffness, crepitus, and reduced range of motion.
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, OA is not an autoimmune condition but rather a mechanical and metabolic disorder of joint aging and wear.
Quick Facts
What Optimal Health Looks Like
Understanding how your body functions when healthy helps identify dysfunction
In a healthy joint, the articular cartilage is a smooth, resilient connective tissue that covers the ends of bones, providing a low-friction surface for joint movement and absorbing shock during weight-bearing activities.
This cartilage is composed of chondrocytes embedded in a dense extracellular matrix of type II collagen, proteoglycans (especially aggrecan), and water.
The subchondral bone beneath the cartilage provides structural support and acts as a shock absorber.
The synovial membrane produces viscous synovial fluid that lubricates the joint and nourishes the cartilage through diffusion.
Healthy Function
Your body is designed to maintain balance and self-regulate
How This Develops
Cartilage degradation - Chondrocytes produce increased inflammatory cytokines (IL-
Chondrocyte senescence - Aging chondrocytes undergo cellular senescence, losing their ability to repair and regenerate matrix components
Subchondral bone changes - Increased bone turnover leads to subchondral sclerosis (hardening), cyst formation, and osteophyte (bone spur) development at joint margins
Joint space narrowing - Progressive cartilage loss reduces the joint space visible on X-ray, a key diagnostic marker
Synovial inflammation - Secondary synovitis develops from cartilage debris, causing additional pain and swelling
Altered biomechanics - Ligament laxity, muscle weakness, and joint malalignment increase mechanical stress on compromised cartilage, accelerating degeneration
Metabolic factors - Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome increase systemic inflammation and adipokine production, worsening cartilage damage
Understanding the mechanism helps us target the root cause rather than just treating symptoms.
What Happens If Left Untreated
Understanding the consequences helps you make informed decisions about your health
Short-Term Consequences
Days to weeks
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Time Matters
Don't wait for symptoms to worsen. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.