Osteoarthritis is the gradual process in which the joint surfaces - the cartilage and the bone itself deteriorate and break down. For this reason it is currently considered a degenerative joint disease.
In fact, the the name is not really accurate. The suffix ?-itis? suggests that the joint is inflamed which is not, in fact, the case. So rather than labelling it as an inflammatory condition, it is better to think of it as a "degenerative joint disease" (DJD)
The tell-tale signs of osteoarthritis include ?crepitus? - a literally a grinding noise and feeling on moving the joint - pain, stiffness, and deformity. Typically the stiffness is worse after a night?s sleep, but then as the person moves around and exercised the joint, the stiffness will subside.
There are two main types of degenerative joint disease: primary and secondary. Primary means, basically, that it happened all by itself, whereas secondary means there was some obvious cause for it such as trauma or another disease process.
What the real cause of primary osteoarthritis is is still a mystery. Some experts believe that it is related to dysfunction in the normal movement of the joint - either too much or too little.
Having too much motion, such as can occur if the ligaments become overstretched, can result form poor posture or even chronic over-stretching of the joint, such as when people "pop" their knuckles repetitively.
This results in deterioration of the integrity of the joint as the joint cartilage receives too much wear, quite similar to having a loose wheel on a vehicle. The cartilage slowly begins to roughen causing a grinding sound (crepitus), and decreases the shock absorption of the joint. This, in turn, then leads to greater wear on the joint and increased deterioration.
Too little joint movement is just as bad. The joint needs nutrition to maintain itself. But, since it has no direct blood supply, it depends on the transfer of nutrients across the joint capsule - and this depends on sufficient joint movement to wash it across. Too little nutrition can result in degeneration and thus osteoarthritis.
Since lack of movement can prevent adequate nutrition at the joint face, most health care professionals recommend that you DON?T rest immobilize your joints (eg in traction) for extended periods of time unless absolutely necessary.
Which leads us the the best practice solution for preventing osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases - regular and proper joint movement, achieved by rapid and effective treatment of injuries followed by regular exercise and stretching routines.
Proper exercise strengthens the muscles that support the joint, and so prevent aberrant motion. Stretching those muscles and, if necessary, getting the joint adjusted by a chiropractor, helps to maintain the motion that allows for proper transfer of nutrients and waste products inside the joint.
Of course we cannot guarantee that this will prevent you from getting osteoarthritis - especially if you have had a bad accident to the joint. But it will certainly help to delay or slow down the degenerative process, and allow you to be mobile and pain free for longer.
Dr. Steven Trembecki, D.C
Author Bio
Fed up with of pain from osteoarthritis? Read our other articles by Dr. Steven Trembecki, D.C. on chiropractor treatments.
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