Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis — a whole-joint disorder in which articular cartilage progressively wears away while subchondral bone, synovium, meniscus, fat pad and periarticular muscle also remodel. It most often affects the knees, hips, hands and spine, producing pain that worsens with use, short-lived morning stiffness, crepitus and reduced range of motion. Long regarded as simple mechanical wear, it is now understood as active biological remodelling driven by inflammatory pain signalling, oxidative stress and neurogenic nociception.