What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. The disease often develops as a person ages, but can occur in younger adults due to injuries sustained in sports or accidents. Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage covering the bone ends wears away. In a healthy joint, the cartilage covers the ends of the bones within the joint, allowing the bones to glide smoothly over one another. The cartilage acts as a shock absorber for the joints during physical activities.

From: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases