Osteoarthritis. View of the hand of a 69 year old woman showing fingers affected by osteoarthritis. The most affected joint is the first joint on her

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Osteoarthritis. View of the hand of a 69 year old woman showing fingers affected by osteoarthritis. The most affected joint is the first joint on her ring finger (centre), which appears swollen. Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder usually caused by mechanical wear and tear of the affected joint. The joint loses its smooth cartilage lining, and the bones in the joint rub against each other, causing pain, swelling and joint stiffness. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the joints in the hand, and may lead to disfigurement and loss of grip. Treatment is mainly aimed at reducing symptoms with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Size: 4980px × 3543px
Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: arthritic, arthritis, condition, disease, disorder, finger, fingers, hand, healthcare, joint, knuckle, medical, medicine, osteo-, osteoarthritis