Description
Body parts, including the nose, ears, and windpipe, are supported and given shape by cartilage, a flexible matrix of collagen, proteins, and sugars that forms a protective layer over the ends of bones at joints. Cartilage is a durable connective tissue. It makes mobility easier by preventing bones from rubbing against one another and enabling them to slide easily.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), a condition that weakens joints and depletes cartilage, include stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion in the joints. Numerous joints are affected by this illness, including the neck, lower back, knees, hips, fingers, and thumbs.
