Athletes and dancers are especially at risk due to excessive strain on the joints. There are several types of arthritis, one of which is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes permanent deterioration of the cartilage layers that shield the joint from impact. Because cartilage cannot repair or replenish itself, it begins to crack, wear away and eventually disappear. The bones in advanced cases become rough and pitted from grinding against each other.
Bone spurs form at the edges of the bones changing the shape and contributing to stiffness.
In the first stages of osteoarthritis, your knee may feel stiff and swollen. Later, you may feel painand maybe notice that one leg seems more crooked than the other. Eventually, your movements may become limited and you may need to change your lifestyle to accommodate your sore, arthritic knee. If you are overweight or have poor alignment, the extra stress on your knee can add to the damage. Regardless of your type of arthritis, you may have already had to reduce or quit the activities you enjoy such as golfing, bicycle riding, walking and traveling.