The condition that results from Osteoarthritis was once thought to be the simply the result of wear and tear on the cartilage of a joint. Osteoarthritis is now known to be a complex joint deterioration that involves an active disease process. A normal joint is covered with a smooth layer of cartilage that acts a cushion or buffer for the joint. When the surface of the joint cartilage is worn, the resulting condition is Osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis or OA tend to get worse with activity; so that the end of the day is the worst time. The opposite occurs with inflammatory arthritis. With Osteoarthritis the patient may experience hard, bony swelling of the joints, and a gritty feeling and sometimes even noise when the joint is moved. This condition is often referred to as crepitus.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis is mainly aimed at the relief of the symptoms described above. Most often the following Osteoarthritis treatments are use:

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Sulfate Supplements
• Pain Medication to treat pain associated with Osteoarthritis