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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffOsteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in your joints wears down over time.
While osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your:
- Hands
- Hips
- Knees
- Neck
- Lower back
Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can relieve pain and help you remain active. Taking steps to actively manage your osteoarthritis may help you gain control over your symptoms.
- Handout on health: Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp. Accessed July 22, 2009.
- Mercier LR. Osteoarthritis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152079048-3/0/1701/412.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50018-5--subchapter11_8824. Accessed July 22, 2009.
- Osteoarthritis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227. Accessed July 22, 2009.
- Lane NE, et al. Osteoarthritis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152079048-3/0/1492/1009.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50288-3_12790. Accessed July 22, 2009.
- Kalunian KC. Risk factors for and possible causes of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- Kalunian KC. Diagnosis and classification of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- Ehrlich GE. Osteoarthritis. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152079048-4/869009174/1621/497.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50250-8_3948. Accessed July 22, 2009.
- Solomon DH. NSAIDs: Overview of adverse effects. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2009.
- Arthritis Foundation life improvement series programs. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/programs.php. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- Hunder GG. Mayo Clinic Straight Talk on Arthritis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2006:230.
- Nutrition and dietary supplements. In: Firestein GS. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/153389597-3/872979471/1807/236.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10034-8--s0250_930. Accessed Aug. 10, 2009.
- Ginger. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- Chondroitin sulfate. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- Avocado. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 31, 2009.
