Arthritis of the knee, X-ray - stock photo

Arthritis of the knee. Coloured X-ray of the knee of an obese 48 year old patient showing degenerative arthritis caused by the extreme stress on the knee from being overweight. At top is the femur (thigh bone), at bottom is the tibia (shinbone), with the smaller fibula to its right. In a healthy individual there is usually a clear space between the femur and the tibia. Osteoarthritis results in the loss of cartilage between the joint. The healing process leads to the growth of bone in place of the cartilage, causing pain, stiffness and loss of mobility.