Final answer:
Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis that most commonly disables older people. It is associated with aging and 'wear and tear' of the articular cartilage. Risk factors include joint injuries, physical labor jobs, sports activities, and being overweight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common type of arthritis that most commonly disables older people is Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is associated with aging and 'wear and tear' of the articular cartilage. Risk factors for developing osteoarthritis later in life include joint injuries, physical labor jobs, sports activities with high impact on joints, and being overweight.
In osteoarthritis, the thinning of articular cartilage puts more pressure on the bones, causing the joint to become swollen, stiff, and painful. The symptoms of osteoarthritis may worsen following exercise and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be required.
Other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis, can also cause disability, but osteoarthritis is the most common in older people.