Frequently Asked Questions
The Causes of Osteoarthritis (OA) and how it progresses
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent, disabling disease which places a tremendous burden on affected individuals as well as private and public health budgets.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition of the synovial joint – most common type of movable joint in the body. The disease develops over time and most commonly affects the knees, hips and hands, and less commonly the shoulder, spine, ankles and feet.
For individuals, the physical and emotional impact of osteoarthritis can have a major impact on their life. Common physical symptoms include pain, stiffness and loss of function in the affected joint. For many this can make everyday activities difficult; such as going up and down stairs, getting in and out of a car or putting on socks / stockings.
The emotional impact of osteoarthritis can also be profound. Living with chronic pain and reduced mobility often restricts a person’s ability to participate in hobbies and social events which can have negative consequences for quality of life and mood.
In Australia osteoarthritis is the underlying diagnosis of 97% of all total knee replacement procedures and 89% of all total hip replacement procedures.