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( Osteoarthritis)
Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease), is a clinical syndrome in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints and destruction or decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. Due to decreased movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax.[1] OA is the most common form of arthritis.[1] "Osteoarthritis" is derived from the Greek word "osteo", meaning "of the bone", "arthro", meaning "joint", and "itis", meaning inflammation, although many sufferers have little or no inflammation. A common misconception is that OA is due solely to wear and tear, due to the fact that OA typically is not present in younger people. However, while age is correlated with OA incidence, this merely illustrates that OA is a process that takes time to develop. There is usually an underlying cause for OA, in which case it is described as secondary OA. If no underlying cause can be identified it is described as primary OA. "Degenerative arthritis", often used as a synonym for OA, but the latter involves both degenerative and regenerative changes. OA affects nearly 21 million people in the United States, accounting for 25% of visits to primary care physicians, and half of all NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) prescriptions. It is estimated that 80% of the population will have radiographic evidence of OA by age 65, although only 60% of those will be symptomatic.[2] The main symptom is acute pain, causing loss of ability and often stiffness. "Pain" is generally described as a sharp ache, or a burning sensation in the associated muscles and tendons. OA can cause a crackling noise (called "crepitus") when the affected joint is moved or touched, and patients may experience muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons. Occasionally, the joints may also be filled with fluid. Humid weather increases the pain in many patients.[3]
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Osteoarthritis Subcategories
Osteoarthritis Articles
Natural Cures for Arthritis by Gregory Smith
Arthritis comes in many forms, such as gout, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Anyone who lives with, or knows someone who has, this debilitating disease knows how painfu...
Can Vitamin "D" Cure Back Pain? by Terry O'Brien
The D vitamin was discovered in 1919, it is often known as the sun vitamin because a form of the vitamin is produced when the sun warms skin.
Along with calcium, it has long been linked to bone health and the prevention of bone diseases like...
Synovial Fluid Replacement Therapy. by Terry O'Brien
Synovial Fluid is a clear thixotropic fluid, the main function of which is to serve as a lubricant in a joint, tendon sheath, or bursa; consists mainly of mucin with some albumin, fat, epithelium, and leukocytes; synovial f. also helps to nourish ...
Degenerative Joint Problems by Terry O'Brien
Alternative Names: Hypertrophic osteoarthritis; Osteoarthrosis; Degenerative joint disease; DJD; OA; Arthritis-Osteoarthritis.
Causes
Unfortunately most of the time, the cause of OA is unknown. It is mainly related to a...
Arthritis Knee Pain: Top 3 Signs and Symptoms by Bob Alter
How to Read the Confusing Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis Knee Pain
If you are a very active person, maybe a former athlete or age has gotten the better of you in terms of weight you might be in the group that is very suspectible to arthritis...
Relief for 8 Million UK Residents by Liz Wagner
Eight million people living in the UK have osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis - on average 2 million people per year see their GP's regarding osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is more likely to be present in women than m...
Arthritis - Exercise can be any activity by Michelle Armstrong
Arthritis - How do you cope with it? by Michelle Armstrong
Coping with Arthritis
It is rather stressful to find that your home is not designed to help you
cope with arthritis. Even simple things such as opening a can to walking up
the stairs may need additional help. However there ...
Arthritis - The Cold Weather Really Gets to me!! by Michelle Armstrong
I don't know about you but i find that when the weather turns cold and gloomy my arthritic symtoms seems to inflate. Im not sure if this is due to changes in temperature or air pressure but i do know ...
Osteoarthritis Treatment - (The Threat of Free Radicals) by Michelle Armstrong
YOUR BODY IS UNDER ATTACK!
Your body is under attack from free radicals! Free Radicals are a by-product of our body’s natural process of cr...
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