Final answer:
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis resulting from wear-and-tear of joints, leading to cartilage and bone breakdown, causing symptoms like pain and stiffness. Contributing factors include aging, repetitive joint stress, and injuries. Treatments focus on symptom management and improving quality of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis typically resulting from lifelong wear-and-tear on a joint. This joint disorder leads to the breakdown of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. It is the most common type of arthritis, often associated with aging and repetitive stress on the joints.
Factors that may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis include physical labor, sports that involve repetitive movements, being overweight, and joint injuries. As the protective cartilage wears down, bones can rub together, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the affected joint. Treatments for osteoarthritis may include lifestyle changes like weight loss and low-impact exercise, medications to ease pain and reduce inflammation, and in severe cases, surgery such as joint replacement.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and a decrease in range of motion. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, managing the symptoms can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected.