Osteoarthritis is the most common form of all types of arthritis. It results from damage or ‘wear-and-tear’ to cartilage within our joints leading to symptoms of pain and stiffness. There are several factors which can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis including older age, joint injury, pre-existing joint abnormality (for example osteoarthritis can occur secondary to rheumatoid arthritis), obesity and genetic factors.

Although any joint can be affected, it tends to affect weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees, as well as joints we use on a day-to-day basis including our hands and wrists. The mainstay of treatment for osteoarthritis includes physiotherapy, physical exercise, pain relief, joint injections and, in advanced cases, surgery.