Obese people may reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis by losing weight. The Greek word for a bone was osteon , so the combining form osteo- is frequently used in medicine for conditions that affect the bones . It can sometimes be difficult to remember which condition is which, although some are relatively easy to figure out. It is a painful condition caused by the wearing away of bone and cartilage at joints. Since it is caused by mechanical wear and tear, it mainly affects older people.
Osteoporosis is also common among older people, especially older women.
The word ending -porosis is the same base word as porous. The name indicates that the bones are becoming porous, or filled with holes, like a sponge. The bones also become brittle and weak. It is thought that the main problem is a lack of calcium in the bones. The Greek word malakia means softness.