OA stands for osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that affects the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat, and the tissues lining the joint. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, and it typically affects hands, knees, hips, lower back, and neck. The cartilage within a joint begins to break down, and the underlying bone begins to change, which can cause reduced function and disability. OA can affect anyone, but it is more common in older adults and women. Risk factors for OA include joint injury or overuse, age, gender, obesity, genetics, and environmental factors. There is no cure for OA, but medication, assistive devices, and other therapies that don’t involve drugs can help to ease pain.