Arthritis – or more specifically osteoarthritis – is a common condition of the joints affecting over 9 million people in the U.K. It is caused by the degeneration of the joint cartilage, resulting in pain and stiffness in the joints, and its symptoms can range from a mild discomfort to a debilitating disability.
Although osteoarthritis is often referred to as ‘wear and tear’ this is a misleading term as it implies that our joints are somehow being ‘ground down’ by overuse. There is no evidence that this is the case however and the degeneration of the cartilage in the joints is far more likely to be the result of a genetic predisposition.
Most orthopaedic experts now agree that the more we load and use our joints, the less likely we are to suffer with arthritis, so being fit and active can help manage the condition.