Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, commonly known as wear and tear arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. It is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body.
Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments. 1  Loss of balance could be a very disabling problem. This is especially true in the elderly where a fall cold be life threatening. 2  A very common cause of imbalance is caused by the disease of the nerves, which causes two problems. If the nerves responsible for sensation stop working, then the limbs become numb and the brain can no longer feel where the legs are causing loss of balance.
Balance disorders often cause dizziness or unsteadiness and may interfere with performing daily tasks. They can be caused by disturbances in the inner ear or in the brain as well as other conditions or medications. With balance disorders, accurate diagnosis is important to ensure appropriate treatment and to prevent the possibility of a fall, which could result in an injury.