Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting the joints. Osteoarthritis symptoms can range from mild to severe and can progress over time. In a healthy person, cartilage normally covers the ends of your bones where the joint forms. With severe osteoarthritis, the cartilage erodes and bone rubs on bone. When your bones rub together, the shape of your joint can change, resulting in joint deformity and joint instability.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body including the hands, feet, knees, and hips. Just like the severity and joints affected can vary from person to person, so can what causes osteoarthritis. Some people might develop osteoarthritis because of genetics, while cases may develop after an injury. Certain conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, can also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is most common in people over the age of 65. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one in two adults will develop symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, one in four will develop hip osteoarthritis before the age of 85, and one in 12 people over the age of 60 have osteoarthritis in their hands.