A chronic degenerative injury of the cartilage is caused by its fissuring and/or erosion, which is associated with a reduction of the synovial fluid. Despite there being injured collagen fibres and chondrocyte necrosis, there are no early pain symptoms, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Only later on do patients experience mechanical pain (which can be relieved with rest), bone crepitus and the loss of range of motion.

The medical treatment of osteoarthritis has greatly benefited from the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments with better gastrointestinal tolerance. We have also been incrementing the use of viscosupplementation with different hyaluronic acids, after numerous publications have attested its beneficial effects.