A condition known as the degenerative joint disease is also known as osteoarthritis. Wear-and-tear arthritis develops as joints wear down, allowing bones to rub together. The degenerative joint disease causes stiffness, discomfort, and swelling. It can be debilitating, making daily tasks difficult.
How does degenerative joint disease happen?
Bones, muscles, and joints gradually break down or lose function. Long-term rubbing of joint tissue on bone can cause damage to joints, including vertebral joints. Osteoarthritis causes stiffness and pain in joints due to joint tissue degeneration. Pain in the neck and lower back is a typical symptom of arthritis.
Degenerative joint disease treatment options
Degenerative joint disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed.
Treatment options include waiting it out, self-care, visiting a doctor, physical therapy, and orthopedic surgery.
Osteoarthritis can be efficiently managed without surgery to reduce pain and increase joint flexibility. Analgesics, heat and cold compresses, low-impact exercise, strengthening joints, and other non-surgical treatments may be used to treat osteoarthritis. Some find relief by changing their habits and losing weight, decreasing alcohol intake, and stopping smoking can all help—alternative therapies including massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture benefit some patients. Whatever you decide, work carefully with your doctor to avoid doing anything that could worsen your illness.
Severe pain or disability may necessitate surgery. Joint surgery can provide long-term symptom alleviation and improve quality of life.
What is the most common degenerative joint disease?
Osteoarthritis that happens often in the hands, hips, and knees is the most common degenerative joint disease. Some individuals refer to it as “wear and tear” arthritis or “degenerative joint disease.”
When a joint suffers from OA, the cartilage begins to disintegrate and the underlying bone changes. These alterations commonly occur gradually and worsen over time. Pain, stiffness, and edema are all symptoms of OA. In certain circumstances, it also results in decreased function and incapacity; some persons cannot do everyday duties or jobs.
What are the symptoms and indicators of OA?
- Ache or pain
- Stiffness
- Reduced range of motion (or flexibility)
- Swelling
Can degenerative joint disease be cured?
Unfortunately, arthritis has no cure. While individuals with rheumatoid arthritis may experience remission, defined as the absence of clinical symptoms, this should not be construed as a “cure.” Patients who are in remission are nonetheless regarded to have arthritis and may recur.
While arthritis does not go away on its own, there are numerous treatments available to assist manage the symptoms associated with active arthritis.