Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.
It is also called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis.
Although it can be brought on suddenly by an injury, typically its onset is gradual;
aging brings on a breakdown of cartilage, and pain gets progressively more severe.
Dull, throbbing nighttime pain is characteristic, and it may be accompanied by muscle weakness or deterioration.
It is a particular problem for the feet when people are overweight, simply because there are so many joints in each foo and the additional weight contributes to the deterioration of cartilage.
