How does osteoarthritis happen?
ANSWER
Cartilage covers and cushions your joints and lets them glide smoothly. Over time, wear and tear can thin out the cartilage, particularly in the knee and hip joints. That makes the bones of the joints rub against each other. This is called osteoarthritis.
From: 10 Quick Facts About Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by David Zelman on January 08, 2018
SOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: "Osteoarthritis of the Hip," "Arthritis of the Knee."
Charles Bush-Joseph, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, Rush University Medical Center.
Arthritis Foundation: "Who Gets Osteoarthritis?" "Osteoarthritis Fact Sheet."
SOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: "Osteoarthritis of the Hip," "Arthritis of the Knee."
Charles Bush-Joseph, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, Rush University Medical Center.
Arthritis Foundation: "Who Gets Osteoarthritis?" "Osteoarthritis Fact Sheet."
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.