Osteoarthritis (OA) affects more Canadians than any of the other forms of arthritis combined. OA is a degenerative progressive condition that can affect the bones, cartilage and joints in the body. When your health professional tells you there is a “bit of wear and tear”, they are talking about osteoarthritis.
The more susceptible areas of the body are the knees, hips, toes, hands and spine. This is most likely because these joints are areas that bear heavy workloads over a long period of time. Being obese or overweight, not exercising regularly, occupation, age or having a previous injury are also risk factors.
