Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis pain is a common complaint from many, especially those of advancing age. Also known as OA, degenerative arthritis, and even degenerative joint disease this type of arthritis is caused by the chronic degeneration of the cartilage and synovial membrane of the joints which can lead to great pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis can even cause you to alter the way in which you conduct your daily life. Many even finding themselves giving up their favorite activities.

Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease is a group of diseases and mechanical irregularities or abnormalities entailing degradation of joints. It includes articular cartilage and the subchondral bone next to it. The term “osteoarthritis” is derived from the Greek word “osteo” that means of the bone, “arthro” meaning joint, and “itis”, which means inflammation.

Osteoarthritis pain and its clinical symptoms may include, joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, inflammation, creaking, and locking of joints. Initiation of the process that leads to the loss of cartilage can be caused by a variety of forces such as, hereditary, developmental, mechanical and metabolic, which causes a strong protein matrix that lubricates and cushions your joints. When the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, subchondral bone could be exposed and damaged, with regrowth leading to a proliferation of ivory-like, dense, reactive bone in central areas cartilage loss, a process called eburnation.

When this occurs, the you can experience pain upon even the slightest weight bearing activity, including simple walking and standing. Because of the decreased movement cause by the chronic pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments can become more lax.

Osteoarthritis or OA is the most common form of arthritis, which can lead causes of chronic disability. The process of OA takes time to develop, which is why age is typically a presenting factor. OA is not generally present in younger people.

One of the primary symptoms of osteoarthritis pain which causes loss of ability and often stiffness. OA can cause a crackling noise called crepitous when the affected joints are moved or even touched, and so you may experience muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons. For some cases, the joints may also be filled with fluid. Humid and cold weather increases the pain for most of the patients.

Typically, as OA progresses, the affected joints appear larger or bigger, and causes severe pain. It is these enlarged joints that are one of the distinguishing features from rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis pain commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and the large weight bearing joints like your hips and knees, and the more these parts of your body are used throughout the day the worse the pain can become.

Don’t settle for living with osteoarthritis pain! Talk with your physician about options for your best treatment of osteoarthritis pain.