The most common type of arthritis

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, affects 21 million Americans. The chance of developing the disease increases with age, with many adults over age 60 getting osteoarthritis to some degree. Even so, it is not uncommon for people in their 20s and 30s to suffer from the condition.

Osteoarthritis is the direct result of cartilage in a joint breaking down, which causes tendons and ligaments to stretch and bones to rub against each other. When the knees of our blue jeans wear out, we live with the holes, or we patch them. Similarly, when our own knees wear out from osteoarthritis, we can live with the pain, or we can have surgery to replace the knees. But researchers are working on new ways to grow our cartilage back again, perhaps eliminating the need for replacements.

This Information Center introduces you to this exciting new research. The latest headlines can be found under What's Hot in Osteoarthritis Research. For an introduction to the disease and how it is treated, visit Osteoarthritis Basics. And check out the links listed under Learn More for additional articles and resources.

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