Osteoarthritis is an incredibly painful condition that stems from wear and tear and causes aching and painful joints and can completely debilitate somebody who suffers from severe onset and progression of the disease. Musculoskeletal issues, such as osteoarthritis, are one of the most common health problems that are dealt with by doctors around the country. Estimates are that anywhere from a third of all doctor visits to half of all doctor visits are to help patients with musculoskeletal difficulties and problems. While osteoarthritis more commonly affects those who are older, joint problems and joint pains can affect anyone from any socioeconomic group, any racial background, or any age.

Most often, when women develop osteoarthritis, it occurs after the age of 50. When men develop osteoarthritis, it most commonly occurs before the age of 45. Men and women also develop osteoarthritis in different joints and different parts of their bodies. Men most commonly develop osteoarthritis in their hips, their spine, and/or their wrists. Women most commonly develop osteoarthritis in their hands, their feet, their ankles, and/or their knees. However, while osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases are incredibly common, they can still be prevented, controlled, and alleviated.

It is important to begin by understanding what the different types of joints are and how they function. There are ball-and-socket joints such as shoulders and hips, and hinge joints, such as one's knees. However, no matter what the construction of the joint is, they all work by connecting bones to each other so that movement is possible.

Joints are also similar inside the joint itself. There are some important components of joints that affect how well they function and move, and it is these internal workings of joints that are attacked by osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal problems. Connective tissue consists of the ligament. The ligament is a bridge between your two bones that connects them with your muscles. Your cartilage is a quasi-elastic and also fibrous tissue. This cartilage has a very important function-it is a cushion between your joints. This cushion will absorb shocks. Cartilage prevents your bones from rubbing and grinding against each other.

Osteoarthritis attacks the cushioning cartilage. This loss of cartilage and its cushioning power is due to a number of different factors. Here are some of them.

Increased age
Cartilage naturally thins as people age. Because cartilage becomes increasingly thinner and thinner as people get older, it becomes easier and easier to damage the cartilage. In fact, if you could look at the cartilage itself, you would be able to see that the surface of the cartilage changes from smooth to grooved and fissured. This difference in appearance is due to the fact that the cartilage has begun to erode.

Previous injuries
Even seemingly small and insignificant injuries can cause osteoarthritis. Joint injuries harm the cartilage and the connective tissue and these problems can crop up later on.

Inflammation
When even small injuries occur to joints, the biomechanics become all unbalanced and upset. When the biomechanics of joints are unbalanced, then the molecules in the cartilage themselves change. Low levels of inflammation that are caused by even tiny injuries can accumulate. The inflammation can build up, and chemicals are released, causing even more injury and pain in the joint.

Loss of muscle mass
The loss of some muscle mass comes with age. This means that you must increase and maintain your exercise so that you can maintain your muscle mass.

Excess weight
The heavier one is, the more damage is caused to your joints because they must work harder and carry more stress. Weight is particular difficult and hard on the knees, and will wear away the cartilage cushion until it is completely gone.