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Osteoarthritis or wear and tear of the knee joint is characterized by degeneration of the cartilage. The cartilage layer of the knee joint becomes thinner, more irregular or even disappears completely.

Ankle osteoarthritis is the wear and tear of the cartilage in the ankle. It can result from trauma, overuse or misalignment of the foot or ankle. Sometimes it occurs spontaneously as a result of the natural aging process.

The foot is a complex assembly of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Problems in the foot can arise from accident, trauma, fracture or stress fracture, as well as overuse, osteoarthritis and inflammation. The shape of the foot also often plays a major role. Some conditions result from a flat or hollow foot.

Hallux valgus is a condition in which the big toe (hallux) stands inward (valgus). This occurs in part because ligaments are too flexible, mostly in women. The condition can be congenital (familial) or arises from frequently wearing narrow shoes. Hallux valgus is also more common in people who have flat feet.

A hallux rigidus is a painful osteoarthritis in the big toe. Wear and tear of the cartilage causes a narrowing of the joint (= osteoarthritis). This results in a painful restriction of movement.

A hammertoe or claw toe is a bent position of the toe, often the second or third toe, which eventually creates pressure and friction against the footwear.