Degenerative arthritis, also called osteoarthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. This disease is associated with the breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body. Most commonly, it occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees, and spine. It can also affect the fingers, including the thumbs and toes, and the neck.
In general, this disease does not affect other joints unless they have been subjected to previous injuries or significant stress. Cartilage is a stable, flexible material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. Its primary function is to prevent friction in joints and act as a shock absorber. The ability of healthy, normal cartilage to absorb shock comes from its ability to change shape when stressed.
Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making it more susceptible to injury. Over time, the cartilage wears away in certain areas, significantly impairing its ability to perform its shock absorber function. As the cartilage deteriorates, tendons and ligaments tighten, causing pain. As the condition worsens, the likelihood of bones rubbing against each other increases.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Symptoms of osteoarthritis generally develop gradually and include:
Tenderness and pain in the joints, especially with movement.
Pain following over-activation of the joint or after prolonged immobility.
Swollen bony fusions in the middle and tips of the finger joints (with or without pain).
Joint swelling and fluid accumulation in the joints.
Causes and risk factors of osteoarthritis
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:
Genetic factors: Some people suffer from a genetic defect in one of the genes responsible for cartilage production.
This defect leads to the production of defective cartilage, which in turn leads to rapid deterioration of the joints.
People born with congenital joint defects are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. People with congenital spinal defects (such as scoliosis or spinal curvature) are also more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the spine.
Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of osteoarthritis of the knees and hips. Maintaining a normal, healthy weight, or losing excess weight, may help prevent osteoarthritis of the knees and hips, or slow the progression of the disease if it has already occurred.
Injuries: Injuries contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. For example, athletes with knee injuries are at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knees. Additionally, people who have sustained serious back injuries are at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in the spine. People who have fractured bones near a joint are at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in that joint.
Joint overuse: Overuse of certain joints increases the risk of osteoarthritis in those joints. For example, people who work in occupations that require constant or repetitive bending of the knees are at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knees.
Osteoarthritis diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is based on a combination of the following factors:
The patient's description of the symptoms and signs they notice and feel.
The location and nature of the pain.
Specific findings from a physical examination, if necessary.
Sometimes, the doctor uses radiography to confirm the diagnosis and to ensure the patient does not have another type of arthritis. The radiograph reveals the extent of joint involvement. Sometimes, a blood test is performed to determine whether the patient has another type of arthritis.
If fluid has accumulated in the joints, the doctor will remove some of the fluid (a procedure called joint aspiration) for examination under a microscope to rule out other conditions.
Osteoarthritis treatment
Osteoarthritis is generally treated with physical therapy, muscle-strengthening exercises, oral medications, hot and cold compresses on the painful joint, intra-articular injections, the use of supportive devices such as crutches or walking sticks, and weight-bearing support. If none of these treatments relieve pain, surgery may be helpful.
The treatment method chosen depends on several factors, including the patient's age, activities and occupation, general health, medical history, location of the disease, and severity of the condition.