Osteoarthritis is a disease that is millions of years old. Researchers have even found evidence for osteoarthritis in dinosaurs. It's also one of the most prevalent diseases to impact our bones - and its rates will only grow with an ageing population worldwide.
As our joints wear and tear, the protective cartilage around them gradually breaks down. This leads to pain, stiffness and swelling. Age, sex, weight and genes can all play a role in whether you develop osteoarthritis. But it's difficult to assess how much repetitive use of a joint can affect whether and where osteoarthritis develops.
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