osteoarthritis

/,ɔstiouɑ:'θraitis/
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osteoarthritis

An elderly woman gently massages her knee affected by osteoarthritis.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A chronic degenerative joint disease: Osteoarthritis is a medical condition characterized by the gradual breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint. It is the most common form of arthritis.
Usage
  • Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory condition primarily affecting weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine, as well as the hands.
  • It is typically associated with aging, wear and tear, and often develops after middle age.
  • The term is used in medical and general contexts to describe this specific type of joint degeneration.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • My grandmother suffers from osteoarthritis in her knees, which makes walking difficult.
    • The doctor explained that the pain was due to osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Regular, low-impact exercise can help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Advanced Usage
  • "Primary osteoarthritis": The most common form, with no identifiable underlying cause, generally related to aging.
  • "Secondary osteoarthritis": Osteoarthritis that results from a specific cause, such as a previous joint injury, congenital abnormality, or another disease.
Variants and Related Words
  • Osteoarthritic (adj): Pertaining to or suffering from osteoarthritis.
    • The patient showed osteoarthritic changes on the X-ray.
  • Degenerative joint disease (DJD): A synonym often used interchangeably with osteoarthritis in medical contexts.
Synonyms
  • Degenerative arthritis: A synonym emphasizing the wear-and-tear nature of the disease.
  • Wear-and-tear arthritis: A common, non-medical term describing osteoarthritis.
Related Phrases
  • "To have osteoarthritis": The standard phrase to indicate someone is affected by the condition.
    • He has had osteoarthritis for over a decade.
  • "Osteoarthritis pain": A common collocation referring to the discomfort caused by the disease.
    • She takes medication to control her osteoarthritis pain.
Notes
  • Osteoarthritis is distinct from other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease) or gout. It involves the degeneration of cartilage, not systemic inflammation.
  • Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness (especially after inactivity), tenderness, loss of flexibility, and a grating sensation.
osteoarthritis

An elderly woman gently massages her knee affected by osteoarthritis.

Noun
  1. chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints; the most common form of arthritis occurring usually after middle age