Osteoarthritis defines the failure of the synovial lined, movable joint. The basic factor in Osteoarthritis is the destruction of the articular cartilage that lines the facing side of the bone that forms a joint.

In Idiopathic or Primary Osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of the disease, no definite predisposing factor is established.

Secondary Osteoarthritis is completely distinguishable from the primary Osteoarthritis. There is some disease that leads to is formation.

Osteoarthritis is, by far, the most common arthritis disease of the human and more than 100, 000 persons in the United States are so crippled by this disease that they are unable to go to toilet from the bed.

Age is the most prominent risk factor for the disease. Researchers have found that, among women below 45 years of age, only 2% were suffering from it.

Between the ranges of 45 to 64 years, the prevalence is 30% and over the age of 65 years, the rate is more than 68%.

Major bodily injury and repetitive use of the joint are the next common culprits. Meniscus damage and or Anterior Crutiate Ligament injury can lad to knee Osteoarthritis - the joint mostly involved.

Obesity is a substantial risk factor for both hand and knee Osteoarthritis. It as noted that mere reduction of 5 kilo weight lowers the odds ratio of potential chance to having Osteoarthritis by 50%.

Sometimes the role of heredity as a risk factor for developing the disease is mentioned. It is noticed that the mother and the sister of a woman with DIP (Distal Interphalangeal Joint) Osteoarthritis (Heberden's nodes) are two to three times risk of developing Osteoarthritis in the same joints.

It is stressed that Osteoarthritis is the destruction of the articular cartilage of a joint. But it is not the whole scenario.

In Osteoarthritis, the entire joint is affected- the synovium, subchondral bones, the menisci, ligaments and the surrounding neuromuscular tissues.

The main clinical finding in Osteoarthritis is acute pain in the affected joint. Nocturnal pain, hampering the sleep process is seen in the advanced hip Osteoarthritis and may be debilitate a patient.

Stiffness of the joint occurs as there is inactivity. Joint instability, because of stretching of the capsule of the joint occurs besides muscle spasm.

The diagnosis of the Osteoarthritis is usually dependent on clinical and radiological finding. In early stages, the radiography may be normal except there is some loss in the joint space. Gradually there is formation of osteophytes and subchondral sclerosis.

No laboratory tests are useful to diagnose a case of the disease except to determine the cause in the secondary Osteoarthritis.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis is intended towards relieving pain, preserving joint mobility and reducing disability.

The first option is weight reduction. As the joints become weak in Osteoarthritis, they can not bear the same weight as they were used to. Losing some weight lowers the load to a particular joint, thus improving the pain situation.

Patellar taping is a less expensive, useful way of reducing pain. Mere taping over the patella with some isometric exercises improves the power of the muscles around the knee joint.

This in turn helps to qualitative weight bearing capacity of the joint. Hot fomentation and cold compress are equally effective to reduce pain. Rational engagement in exercise can control it a lot.

Among the medication, the first line of therapy consists of using NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs).

The newer generation Selective COX-2 inhibitors are doing a good job in effective controlling of pain and reducing the incidence of Acid Peptic disorder.

Invasive methods of treatment include Intra-articular injection of Steroidal component and Hyaluronan.