Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder that damages the cartilage, bones and ligaments, and other essential components of joints which leads to inflammation and pain. In the past, osteoarthritis was called ‘degenerative arthritis’ and was known as a condition mainly related to aging (Ha et al., 2019). Presently, osteoarthritis is a disorder known to have multiple causes and not only age-related. Severity over time and symptoms emerge and change for individual patients depending on complex factors including age, genetic predisposition, obesity, joint shape, and hormones (CDCP., 2019; Fauci et al., 2008).
PainSA is a chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Our mission is to improve all aspects of pain management in Southern Africa.
