The HCT, which stands for hematocrit, blood test measures the amount of red blood cells in a blood sample. This test is also referred to as a crit or a PCV, which means packed cell volume. The HCT blood test is usually done as part of a CBC, or complete blood count, blood test.
Osteoarthritis is a progressive form of arthritis characterized by breakdown of the cartilage in joints. Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease and wear and tear arthritis, causes pain in the joints with activity. The knees and the hips are common locations for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is common in people over 60 years of age, but it can affect younger people, particularly where they have had joint injury or joint surgery.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, meaning that the cartilage covering the ends of the bones that form a joint gradually deteriorates. 1  Mechanical wear and tear that builds up over time is the most common cause of osteoarthritis, but it can also develop due to an injury. When an injury changes the alignment of a joint, it can damage cartilage more rapidly. In the hands, this damage causes enlarged joints and crooked fingers.