Osteoarthritis basics

Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of arthritis in Canada, affecting 1 in 10 adults. Osteoarthritis mostly affects cartilage, the tough material that covers and protects the ends of bones. Healthy cartilage helps our bones move freely and absorbs the energy from the shock of our movements. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage begins to break down and wear away.

Symptoms include the following: Sharp or burning pain in the affected joints. Pain can be severe, and bothersome at rest, when you move, or at night. It can stop you from sleeping and make it difficult to do the things you want to do. Stiffness in the morning, until your joints get moving. Muscle weakness around the joints, especially in osteoarthritis knee pain.

The knee is the joint most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis of the knee, cartilage is lost from the joint, and the ligaments around the knee become loose making the joint unstable. The pain of osteoarthritis of the knee comes from the ligaments and tendons near the joint. A major risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee is having a job that involves bending the joint.