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What Is Erosive Osteoarthritis?

What Is Erosive Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes wear and tear of the joints. Over time, it leads to a loss of cartilage, the flexible yet strong tissue that plays an important role in cushioning the bones. People with this disease may experience pain, joint stiffness, swelling, as well as loss of function and flexibility. Erosive osteoarthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that affects the hinge joints in the fingers and the toes. Studies have found that approximately three percent of the general population develop this condition. [1]

Signs and Symptoms of Erosive Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of erosive osteoarthritis tend to show up suddenly without warning, while soreness and stiffness in other forms of osteoarthritis typically appear gradually. These include redness, warmth, swelling, sudden pain, and problems with hand functions. You tend to experience these problems in the fingers, and sometimes in the toes. Erosive osteoarthritis may cause changes in joint function in the proximal joints, located in the middle of fingers, instead of the distal joints closer to the fingertips. [2]