OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the elderly and a leading cause of disability.the prevelance of OA increases from 2% in women younger than 45yrs of age to 30% in 45-65 yrs of age and to 68% in over 65yrs of age.In older men hip OA is more common and in old women OA of fingers and the thumb join is more common.People who overuse their joints or have had repeated traumas have higher incidences of OA.Black women have more incidences of kneeOA than white women.Whites have more incidences of OA than other communities.Major factors that influence the degree of risk for developing OA are: Age,Joint Location,Obesity,Gender,Genetic Predisposition,Trauma etc..
OA is known as degenerative joint disease.Which means there is degradation of joints.It is a disease of the whole joint in which all articular structures are affected.There is currently no treatment to prevent or ameliorate the disease.So medical treatment aims to alleviate pain and improve joint function.