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Osteoarthritis |
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most
common cause of arthritis worldwide. OA can occur in any
joint, especially at the hands, knees, hips, or
spine.
In the
United States
it has been estimated that more than one billion US
dollars are spent annually on joint surgery, mostly due
to OA.
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What causes
OA?
Cartilage is the slippery tissue that
covers the end of bones in a joint. Healthy
cartilage allows bones to glide over one another.
It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical
movement.
In
osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage
breaks down and wears away. This allows bones
under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain,
swelling and loss of
motion.
Over time, the joint may
lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs (small
growths) may grow on the edges of the joint.
Bits of bones or cartilage can break off and
float inside the joint space, causing pain and
damage.
People
who are older and overweight are more prone to
knee OA. Before age 45, more men than women have
osteoarthritis, after which it becomes more common
in women. In some cases, OA may run in
families.
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| Do you know that computer users is one of
the high-risk groups for arthritis ?
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About this
website
The
information of the website is adopted from Arthritis
Foundation Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the purpose of
educating the public on the Osteoarthritis.
All care is
taken to ensure that the information is accurate, the
authors and the publishes cannot be held liable for any loss
or harm suffered by any person, by any reason of information
contained in this website or any inaccuracies, omissions or
misrepresentations in any article in this
website.
Readers are
at all times cautioned to consult a suitable qualified
medical practitioner before acting on any information
contained in this website.
For contact, please email
us.
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