Arthritis - Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Disease

Osteoarthritis is identified as a degenerative joint disease. It's the most widespread form of arthritis and causes the highest disability in older adults. This disease is deterioration of tissue or cushioning that protects the joints. When this protection breaks down, bone damage and pain occurs, mostly in weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees, but the fingers and neck can also become affected. Because osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, it has the potential to limit the everyday movements of those in distress. Everyday tasks such as walking, bending and even brushing your teeth can be difficult. The disease is not curable, but the proper treatments can ease the pain and prevent things from getting worse. The corrosion or degeneration occurs over a period of time, causing friction between the bones, which is the primary reason for painful movement and other joint problems due to aging, injury or family history.

Even though people of any age can be a magnet for osteoarthritis for different reasons, the emergent of this disease increases with age and affect those mostly in their sixties, but the extent of the disease and difficulty may be different. Various other issues increase a person's chances of getting this disease. Injury or a broken bone near a joint, heredity of imperfect genes can be blamed for inadequate tissue protection of the joints, obesity or excess weight placing stress on crucial joints. Another risk for developing osteoarthritis is overuse or excessive bending of joints required by those in some professions or activities. The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain from inflammation, stiffness and weak muscle. These symptoms increase with the progression of the disease because of excessive activity or long periods of inactivity. Bone exaggeration can also occur in the fingers and other joints. Although some of the symptoms may not be painful, sensitivity, sporadic swelling and fluid in the joint area can also take place.

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is accomplished by taking into consideration a combination of important issues such as your description of symptoms. The health specialist or doctor must also consider the location and pattern of pain, specific findings regarding the physical examination and x-rays to confirm how much joint damage has occurred. The doctor may also choose to examine some of the fluid found in the joint area to rule out other diseases.

Treatments for arthritis must be designed to fit the patient's specific needs. For that reason, working with your doctor to find the best treatment program for you is most important. Several things may be necessary to achieve the right solution. The treatments of osteoarthritis include medications, exercise and heat or cold compresses applied to the affected area to relieve pain. Weight control and support devices can take the pressure off stressed joints and surgery, as a last resort, may be necessary to relieve pain when other treatment options are not successful. The type of treatment will be determined by the specific needs of the patient and consideration must be given to age, the patient's overall health and severity of the condition, as well as medical history and location of the disease.

Where prolong use of medications is needed, regular checkups with your doctor is required. Exercise such as walking and cycling are activities to strengthen your muscles and reduce stress on your weight-bearing joints. However, your doctor must approve the activity that is best for you, including physical therapy.