Diary 118: Arthritis

The term means the inflamation of a joint.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known as “wear and tear” arthritis.

If one has been putting a lot of stress on his/her knees, are over 50, there is a high possibility that one may have osteoarthritis.

Cartilage is the protective cover of bones in the joint.

What happens in OA is after years of use and abuse, the cartilage starts to wear down.

Slowly, the smooth surface of the cartilage will become rough.

Loose pieces of the cartilage of the cartilage can cause irritation and pain to the joint.

Further stress will cause bones to eventually rub against each other, causing pain and difficulty when one moves or carries weight.

An important factor on the development of OA is the amount of stress a person puts on the joint.

For example, the heavier one is, the more stress one puts on one’s knee.

[Information source: Lim Wey Wen’s article entitled “Weary knees” (The Star 4 July 2010)].