by Michael A. Incze

“What Is Osteoarthritis?

“Arthritis is a painful condition that affects joints. Infection, inflammation, and years of wear and tear can all cause different types of arthritis. Wear and tear, called ‘osteoarthritis,’ is the most common type in middle-aged and older adults. In osteoarthritis of the knees, the protective padding (cartilage) in the knee joint has worn away. This causes pain at the knee joint with standing or movement.

“Osteoarthritis is very common. Nearly 1 in 5 adults older than 45 years has knee osteoarthritis. Risk factors include being older than 45 years, prior knee injury, obesity, female sex, arthritis in family members, and/or physically demanding occupations.”

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