Category | Osteoarthritis |
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Doctors sometimes call it degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. This happens when the cartilage that lines the joints wears down over time and the bones rub against each other when you use the affected joints. Typically, the ends of the joint bones are covered by a layer of hard, smooth cartilage. Cartilage is both a shock absorber and a lubricant: it helps the bones in your joints move smoothly and safely. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the affected joints wears down over time. Over time, bones rub together when you move your joints.