Many people use the word "arthritis" without knowing the meaning. Arthritis is really not a single disease. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis, all of which affect one or more joints in the body. The word arthritis comes from two greek words, arth meaning "joint" and itis, meaning "inflammation". Thus arthritis is "inflammation of a joint", which is somewhat misleading because in many kinds of arthritis the joint is not inflamed or swollen. The pain however may be nagging. Or at its worst, it can be physically and mentally crippling.

Osteotomy. This literally means 'the cutting of a bone'. This method is used to change the angle at which the bones forming the joint meet. It is used in younger patients with OA affecting only one half of the knee. The operation shifts the body weight onto the better half of the joint thereby relieving pain. However, relief is for a variable period of time depending on the state of the other half of the joint and how soon it begins to wears out.

Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis or joint disease and is a very important cause of pain and disability in advancing years of life. Some degree of osteoarthritis will develop in everyone in old age and it is estimated that three out of four persons of more than 60 years of age will have definite evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint, and one out of ten persons beyond the age of 60 years will have sufficiently advanced disease and have so much trouble that medical advise will be sought. In the next two decades the proportion of aged in population is going to increase steadily and so will increase in the incidence of osteoarthritis and with a commensurate increase in the cost of treatment of this most common joint disease. The natural history of osteoarthritis is variable and joint specific. Osteoarthritis may remain stable or static for many years, or be progressive, or may have periods of waxing and warning of symptoms. Osteoarthritis has no effect on longevity of persons affected with this disease, but can be quite debilitating in terms of limiting activities and diminishing overall quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is one of the oldest and most common forms of arthritis. Known as the "wear-and-tear" kind of arthritis, OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint

Primary osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis not resulting from injury or disease, is mostly a result of natural aging of the joint.

Pain. Your joints may ache, or the pain may feel burning or sharp. For some people, the pain may come and go. Constant pain or pain while you sleep may be a sign that your arthritis is getting worse.

Cartilage loses elasticity and is more easily damaged by injury or use.

The joint lining, or the synovium, becomes inflamed due to cartilage breakdown causing cytokines (inflammation proteins) and enzymes that damage cartilage further

Bits of bone or cartilage float loosely in the joint space.

Our Product AZ Artho is very helpful for Osteoarthritis patients. Az Artho is a well researched combination of herbs, as per Ayurveda which help maintain joint's flexibility, regulate the tone of the muscles (tone up the muscles), lubricate the joints, strengthen the cartilages and tendons, give nutrition to bones and joints, reduce the inflammation and stiffness of the joints by restoring the proper functions of the biological components.