Osteoarthritis: A common cause of joint pain and degeneration

OA is a progressive disease; however, the path of progression is variable from patient to patient. While early treatment can slow progression, affected joints generally continue to deteriorate as a person ages. OA can occur in any joint, but it is most common in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise. When OA becomes severe and the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs - small growths called osteophytes - may grow on the edges of the joint. Pieces of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space causing even more pain and damage.