What is Arthritis?

A white, shiny material lines the end of each bone. Check it out the next time you eat chicken. This material is called cartilage. Specifically, it is articular cartilage. The term "articular" differentiates it from meniscal cartilage, the rubbery shock absorber that lies within the knee, between the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone). The term "torn cartilage" refers to meniscal cartilage and has nothing to do with arthritis.

Articular Cartilage

Arthritis has a specific definition:

the wearing down of articular cartilage down to the bone. There are many controversies in the world of arthritis, but the above definition is not one of them.

Arthritis can have multiple causes... It can involve just one small part of the knee or it can be more generalized.

*Adapted from What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Knee Pain and Surgery, Warner Books 2002.