Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and instability in weight-bearing joints. It is not inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis and has no specific cure, but pain management options are available. Obesity, heredity, genetics, and sports injuries can lead to its formation. It doesn’t affect all weight-bearing joints, and overuse of joints like elbows or wrists won’t lead to osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis among Americans, shouldn’t be confused with its cousin rheumatoid arthritis. Both forms of arthritis create pain in the joints, but osteoarthritis is not inflammation. Some doctors may call it degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, which indicates a gradual degeneration of joint tissue over time. Rheumatoid arthritis can flare suddenly, but osteoarthritis usually doesn’t appear until middle age or after trauma to a joint.
If you’ve ever heard a former athlete refer to a “rigged knee” or an elderly relative complaining of joint pain on rainy days, he’s most likely referring to osteoarthritis. As the body ages, the cartilage and fluid sacs between joints begin to disintegrate. Once this protection and cushioning is gone, the bones often begin to rub against each other. This in turn causes the bones to form growths called spurs, which can contribute even more to the pain and instability of the joint.
Osteoarthritis has no specific cause, but there are a number of factors that can lead to its formation. Obesity can place tremendous pressure on the hips, knees and ankles. These are also three of the most common sites for osteoarthritis. There is also some evidence that heredity and genetics play a role in the development or non-development of osteoarthritis later in life. Sports injuries involving the joints can also lead to the early development of osteoarthritis.
There is no specific cure for osteoarthritis, but there are a variety of pain management options. Many sufferers find temporary relief through the use of non-steroidal pain relievers such as Osteo Bi-Flex. Athletes often receive cortisone injections to create a temporary cushion between damaged joints. Heat treatments and medicated sports creams such as Myoflex and BenGay can also provide relief from stiffness. In severe cases of osteoarthritis, the entire joint can be replaced with an artificial one. This is most commonly done with the hip and knee joints.
Osteoarthritis doesn’t affect all of the body’s weight-bearing joints, contrary to popular thought. Overuse of joints like the elbows or wrists won’t automatically lead to osteoarthritis in later life, although these areas are prone to tendonitis, which can feel similar to arthritis in many ways.
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