describe osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THREYE-tis) is the most common type of arthritis and is seen especially among older people. Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis mostly affects cartilage (KAR-til-uj), the hard but slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint.he most common form of arthritis. It is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and disability. Osteophytes. Small growths of bone that can appear on the edges of a joint affected by osteoarthritis.