Definition
Osteoarthritis is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and is the most common form or arthritis. Basically it is the degeneration of a joint.
Causes and risk factors
There are two main types of osteoarthritis:
- Primary Degeneration (Idiopathic) – Primary does not have any identifying cause.
- Secondary Degeneration – Secondary is the most common type and is normally caused by an abnormality that already exists. If you have a pre-existing abnormality, trauma can be worsen the situation.
Age is one of the biggest risk factors involved with osteoarthritis. As people age, many things can be effected, but hormones, diet, gender and heredity worsen the condition even more. For example, as people get older they normally produce less calcium. Hormones use the calcium that our bodies produce, so if a person comes from a long line of people who do not have strong bones and if they are re a female over 50 years of age, their bones would break down much more quickly than a man’s.
Obesity also appears to increase the risk of osteoarthritis, especially in females. Both genders will see the effects of weight gain on their joints, but women are already more susceptible to the condition.
Those who participate in a great deal of physical activity (pro athletes) will also have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. Those who continue to exercise excessively even while injured are susceptible as well.
Signs and Symptoms:
Osteoarthritis most often affects the knees, feet, and hands. The condition can be identified by swelling and pain in the tips of the fingers. With Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is the middle knuckle that will become painful. With Osteoarthritis, either the largest knuckle or the tip of the finger will become painful.
One of the biggest indicators people have identified is a great deal of joint pain in relation to activity. The more they perform the activity, the more the pain increases. Since pain normally limits peoples’ activity, there is a good chance that they will lose muscle, have less range of motion, and will experience pain in the area where the degeneration is. For example, if the degeneration is in the spine, people will experience pain in the back.
Pain will normally worsen with activity in the early stages, but will improve with activity in later stages. There is no explanation this.
Diagnosis:
One of the best ways for a chiropractor to identify this condition is through x-ray. One of the most obvious things a chiropractor will see is a non-uniform reduction of joint spaces. As the joint space decreases, the joints become uneven.
People with Degenerative Joint Disease also tend to develop Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD).
Treatment
Treatment is essentially aimed at limiting pain, maintaining function and independence, and trying to prevent complications.
Chiropractors will use adjustments, help improve strength with exercises, and will try to increase the range of motion, balance and flexibility through rehabilitation exercises. They may also offer nutritional support in order to reduce body weight and to add natural supplements to help improve joint function, and decrease pain.
Patients may also find relief from their medical doctor, who can prescribe non-steroidal anti-imflammatory (NSAID) drugs.
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