As mentioned above, osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that typically results from excessive wear and tear on certain joints. The degeneration associated with this disease primarily affects the cartilage that covers the bones in the joints throughout our bodies. Osteoarthritis decreases the cartilage's ability to absorb stress causing it to degenerate faster. As the cartilage degenerates, surrounding stabilizing and supporting structures such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles are overworked often times resulting in pain. In the late stages of osteoarthritis, bones may even begin to push against each other causing more pain and degeneration. While this disease process can sound frightening and unavoidable, it is important to understand that you can prevent its development and University Physical Medicine has the most up-to-date treatment and preventive measures available.

Osteoarthritis has a predisposition to affect joints that are commonly overworked and overused. These are typically weight-bearing joints in the body that have sustained repeated amounts of heavy stress. Therefore, the knees, hips, neck, lower back, big toes, and hands are most commonly affected. However, it should be understood that osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body. Joints that have had serious trauma or repeated micro-stress due to repetitive labor and movement are more prone to the development of osteoarthritis.