1 At the ends of each of our chromosomes are sections of DNA called telomeres. 2  Telomeres protect the ends of the chromosomes during DNA replication by forming a cap, much like the plastic tip on a shoelace.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of finger arthritis. OA is also called degenerative joint disease because it is caused by wear and tear on your joints as you age. In OA, the protective tissues in your joints deteriorate with time allowing bare bone to rub on bone. This cause joint pain and swelling.
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage to the cartilage that caps the bones in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in joint deformity.While both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can affect the small joints of the hand, there are differences.Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect the middle joints of the fingers and the joints where the fingers attach to the hand.Osteoarthritis more commonly affects the joints at the ends of the fingers and at the base of the thumb. In rheumatoid arthritis, the same joints usually are affected on both sides of the body.heumatoid arthritis tends to affect the middle joints of the fingers and the joints where the fingers attach to the hand. Osteoarthritis more commonly affects the joints at the ends of the fingers and at the base of the thumb. In rheumatoid arthritis, the same joints usually are affected on both sides of the body.