Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff.

As part of normal life, your joints are exposed to a constant low level of damage. In most cases, your body repairs the damage itself and you don’t experience any symptoms.

But in osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Bony growths can develop, and the area can become inflamed (red and swollen).