Although osteoarthritis rarely develops before age 40, nearly everyone by age 75 has some degree of the disease in their weight-bearing joints. Women are affected more often than men. Osteorarthritis attacks the cartilage, the tissue on the ends of bones and between joints.
Cartilage helps the joints move easily and absorbs shock.
As osteoarthritis progresses, the cartilage gets worn away and bone rubs on bone. The result is stiffness and pain. A number of medications are available to treat osteoarthritis but most have negative side effects. Acetaminophen can reduce pain but does not reduce the swelling in the joints. It often leads to serious and even life-threatening adverse effects such as perforation and bleeding.