What happens to the bone at a joint affected by osteoarthritis?

The exposed bone thickens and hardens where the surfaces rub, small bony outgrowths develop around the rim of the joint, and the space between the bones narrows so that the joint becomes misshapen.

Give three symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The joint aches, with pain that worsens through the day as it is used, it feels stiff after a period of rest, and it grates audibly and cannot be moved through its full range.

Which joints are most often affected by osteoarthritis, and why those?

The knees and hips are affected most, along with the hands and the spine, because these carry the heaviest and most repeated loads over a lifetime.

Give three factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Increasing age, being overweight and having previously injured the joint all raise the risk, as does work or sport that loads the same joint repeatedly.

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Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy: Joints

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

3 things to know
Component 3

Overview

Underlying cause of osteoarthritis and what happens to the articular cartilage in osteoarthritis.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?

Key term

What is the underlying cause of osteoarthritis?

Key term

Describe what happens to the articular cartilage in osteoarthritis.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is the underlying cause of osteoarthritis?
Model answer
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which the articular cartilage is worn away faster than it can be replaced, usually through years of mechanical loading of the joint.
2
Describe what happens to the articular cartilage in osteoarthritis.
Model answer
The smooth surface becomes rough and pitted and the layer grows steadily thinner, until in places it disappears altogether and leaves the underlying bone exposed.
3
What happens to the bone at a joint affected by osteoarthritis?
Model answer
The exposed bone thickens and hardens where the surfaces rub, small bony outgrowths develop around the rim of the joint, and the space between the bones narrows so that the joint becomes misshapen.
4
Give three symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Model answer
The joint aches, with pain that worsens through the day as it is used, it feels stiff after a period of rest, and it grates audibly and cannot be moved through its full range.
5
Which joints are most often affected by osteoarthritis, and why those?
Model answer
The knees and hips are affected most, along with the hands and the spine, because these carry the heaviest and most repeated loads over a lifetime.
6
Give three factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Model answer
Increasing age, being overweight and having previously injured the joint all raise the risk, as does work or sport that loads the same joint repeatedly.

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