Osteoarthritis: Its not only for the old

When you think about osteoarthritis (OA), you probably associate it with old age. But although most common among older people, people younger than 45 years old can also suffer from this form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects the cartilage. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and wear-and-tear arthritis.

Cartilage is the protective tissue in the joint. When it breaks down, as is the case with OA, the bones rub together. This often results in stiffness, pain, and creaking. These symptoms may come and go and generally worsen over time.