Do you remember the joints? They’re the special spots where two bones meet, like in your knees, hips, or fingers.

To keep bones from rubbing and getting hurt, joints have a soft protective layer called cartilage.
Cartilage is like a sneaker: it cushions and protects your bones, just like sneakers protect your feet when you run or jump.

In osteoarthritis, this cartilage gets worn down or damaged. Without that cushion, the bones start to rub together, and that causes pain.
It’s like playing on hard stone ground with old, damaged sneakers, or none at all.

Ouch! Just like your feet would hurt, your joints would hurt when the bones rub without protection.