Arthritis is a general term which means inflammation in joints. More acurately referred to as "degenerative joint disease", osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects approximately 21 million Americans. It’s related to the deterioration of cartilage in any skeletal joint, most commonly joints of the hips, knees, and spine.
Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. Its main purpose is to reduce friction in the joints and work as a shock absorber. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity making it more susceptible to damage. Over time the cartilage may wear away and break down. This leads to abnormal stretching and pain to the adjacent tendons and ligaments. The end result of progressive degenerative joint disease is bone rubbing on bone when all cartilage has been eliminated.
Causes
The factors that increase an individual’s chances of developing osteoarthritis are:
- Heredity – Some people have an inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for making cartilage. These people have defective cartilage that deteriorates rapidly. Others have spinal scoliosis which predisposes to osteoarthritis of the spine.
- Obesity – Obesity increases the risk for osteoarthritis of the knee and the hip due to the increased load these joints are stricken with.
- Injury – Athletes who injure a joint such as a knee, have a higher risk of osteoarthritis setting in later on in life.
- Joint Overuse – Some occupations require repeated bending of the spine or knee which can lead to repetitive damage.
Symptoms
Joint aching, soreness especially with movement, pain after overuse or after long periods of inactivity, bony enlargements in the knuckles of the hands and joint swelling are all common manifestations of progressing osteoarthritis.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is based on the individual’s description of symptoms, the location and pattern of pain, findings on physical exam, and radiographic imaging. Blood testing can also be used to differentiate osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis and other distinctive inflammatory forms of rheumatism.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis is often treated by physical therapy and fitness training using muscle strengthening exercises. Oral medications: Tylenol, anti-inflammatory agents (ie. Naproxen, etc) and narcotics are used. Hot and cold compresses and analgesic balms, removal of joint fluid, injection of cortisone into joints, injection of artificial cartilage into the knee (ie. Synvisc) are helpful. Weight loss, and supportive appliances (braces, canes, etc) are important tools. When conservative measures fail and the destruction of the joint is great, joint replacement or arthroscopic joint clean-up are a viable option.
Alternative Treatment
There is reliable research suggesting the efficacy of alternative treatments for osteoarthritis. The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) may relieve pain and increase flexibility in arthritis patients.
Manipulation is also helpful for joint mobilization. Some people espouse the ingestion of apple cider vinegar for arthritis pain – I have personally prescribed this in a precise mixture. Magnetic braces and insoles can also reduce arthritic pain.
Osteoarthritis can affect anyone from 20 to 80 years of age. Staying fit and keeping to your ideal weight is the cornerstone of any treatment regimen.
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Dr. Joe is a regular contributor to Kiss My StatsSM. Dr. Joe's views and opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Kiss My StatsSM. As with all exercise or diet programs, please consult with your physician before making any changes to your routine.
