Osteoarthritis of the hip. Coloured 3D computed tomography (CT) scan of the right hip of a 57-year-old patient affected by advanced osteoarthritis of the hip joint (centre). Osteoarthritis (or arthrosis) is a common degenerative disease characterised by a loss of the cartilage that lines the joints between bones. This leads to pain, swelling and occasionally may result in the loss of function of the affected joint. No specific cure exists but symptoms may be relieved through analgesic drugs and physiotherapy. Joint-replacement surgery is used in some of the most severe cases.