DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE (Osteoarthritis)

DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE (Osteoarthritis)

Of the 17 million arthritis sufferers in the United States, over 10 million have degenerative types of arthritis. Sometimes called osteoarthritis(OA), the degenerative joint disease occurs twice as often as rheumatoid arthritis and usually begins later in life. In fact, almost everyone will get “a touch of rheumatism” sooner or later, if he lives long enough.


Usually osteoarthritis is mild. It seldom cripples, but often produces pain.Weather changes, storms, and cold may aggravate the symptoms, making the sufferer somewhat of a weather prophet. This type of arthritis confines its attack locally to individual   joints and rarely spreads to distant joints or affects the whole body. Primarily osteoarthritis is a matter of “wear and tear” of the mechanical parts of the joint, the cartilage cushions wearing out as the patient becomes older. Most often affected are weight bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, or spine. One variety of this disease, which does not seem to have anything to do with strain on the joints, affects younger women. The joints of the fingers are the chief points of attack, often showing bony enlargement on the hands, called Heberden‘s nodes. These can be quite painful.


In the normal joint where two bones meet, their ends are covered with layers of smooth elastic material called cartilage. These surfaces are designed to slide smoothly across each other, lubricated by the joint fluid. In osteoarthritis the bone ends become thicker, then bony spurs develop. The surrounding ligaments and membranes may also become thickened, changing the whole shape of the joint.


Muscles in the region of the arthritic joint tend to become tense and contract unnaturally as a reflex reaction to pain. They may likewise become weak. Obviously when the mechanical system breaks down in this way, the joint is not going to work properly.A number of causes can progress into osteoarthritis. Joints that take unusual punishment or abuse, such as the hips and knees of obese or overweight patients are likely to develop these changes. Joints injured in an accident or an athletic injury may also deteriorate early. Sometimes a hip defect is present at birth. Inherited tendencies can predispose people to osteoarthritis. Fundamentally for most of us, this degeneration of tissue in the body is a normal process of aging. There is much we can do to protect these important structures and continue living free from pain.


Although many people have x-ray changes characteristic of osteoarthritis without symptoms, most patients develop pain in or around the joint. This may be mild aching and soreness, or a nagging constant pain. The pain of joint disease is caused by pressure on nerve endings, and by tense muscles and their rapid fatigue. Sometimes pain is felt at a distance from the joint where the trouble is. Second, one experiences the loss of ability to move his or her joints easily and comfortably. Usually part of the problem is an advancing muscular weakness. Obvious distortion of the joints will develop later. X-rays often aid doctors to make a correct diagnosis.


Treatment
Early treatment is helpful to limit the troublesome symptoms. It place great importance on healthful mental influences. Recommended nutritional measures with a natural vegetarian diet are nearly identical to principles mentioned above for rheumatoid patients. Chili-containing creams such as Zostrix are valued to quell the ache of chronic joint pain. Containing the ingredient, capsaicin, the cream appears to affect a chemical “pain messenger,” substance P, responsible for transmitting pain signals along nerve pathways to the brain. The capsaicin cream, which burns slightly on the skin,triggers the release of substance P from the nerves in the area where it’s applied.


Hot packs, special baths and other forms of external heat, combined with rest, and exercises to protect the joints from stress and strain, may all be helpful. Most important for any overweight or obese patient, though, is a weight reduction program. Remember that osteoarthritis is a chronic disease and may last for life. This makes obvious the conclusion, for treatment must continue for a long time. Disability can nearly be prevented by early attention to the above simple measures.