What Is the Meaning of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthrosis (OA) or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis, which is a term that applies to a wide range of conditions that involve deterioration of the joints. Osteoarthritis involves damage to the cartilage in the joints, which wear down as a person ages. Cartilage in the joints is necessary to provide fluidity in the movement of a person's hands, feet, hips, knees, lower back and neck. In individuals with osteoarthritis, the cartilage providing this flexibility has worn down. When these individuals use their joints, it is often painful, stiff and difficult because the bones in their joints rub together without the cushion provided by the cartilage. Sometimes, this can even lead to a total lack of movement in the joint.

Who is Affected

• Women make up the majority of osteoarthritis sufferers ages 55 and older.

  As of 2010, nearly 20 million people suffered from osteoarthritis in the U.S. These individuals are from a wide variety of racial backgrounds, as there appears to be little difference in the prevalence of the condition within a particular ethnic group. However, individuals of Japanese descent are slightly more likely to suffer from the disorder, especially when compared with Americans of Southern Chinese, South African, or East Indian descent. In Americans younger than 45, males are more likely to be affected, while females comprise a greater majority of sufferers ages 55 and older.

Age-Associated OA

• Many mistake osteoarthritis as a normal part of "growing old," however any severe, persistent, and/or reoccuring joint pain should be checked out by a doctor.

  Osteoarthritis is primarily caused naturally as part of the aging process. As joints are used throughout your life, they can begin to deteriorate. Aging also causes the water content in the joints to increase while the protein that keeps joint cartilage intact decreases. This deterioration coupled with the constant usage of your joints over the period of many years can lead to total cartilage depletion, resulting in the oftentimes painful condition of osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis can sometimes develop among multiple members of the same family. This has led some doctors to conclude that some individuals may carry genes that put them at greater risk of developing the disease than others.

Secondary OA

• Professional atheletes, particularly soccer players, are at risk of developing osteoarthritis in their knees.

  A person can also develop osteoarthritis via “secondary” causes not related to age, such as repeated injury of certain joints due to long-term engagement in contact sports like soccer. Many soccer players have been known to suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee, due to repeated strain and injury of the knee joints. The most prevalent secondary cause of osteoarthritis is obesity, as the extra weight that an obese individual carries puts an added strain on the joints, particularly the knees. Diseases such as diabetes and gout are also known to increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis, in addition to some growth hormone disorders, and joint defects present at birth.

Prevention

• Eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables is one way to avoid developing osteoarthritis.

  Due to the fact that most cases of osteoarthritis strike unexpectedly once an individual reaches a certain age, developing this condition is often unavoidable for many people. However, there are measures individuals at risk for developing secondary osteoarthritis can take to prevent, or at least lower their risk of being afflicted with the condition. People at risk for developing obesity should try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly, while obese individuals should try to lose weight to avoid putting too much strain on the knees. Those who are at risk due to long-term and heavy participation in sports such as soccer or weight lifting, which put tremendous strain on the knees, should work with a physical trainer to develop an effective stretching and massage therapy plan. If you are heavily involved in any sport that puts strain on the joints, it’s important to allow your joints adequate time to heal between intense workouts and after any injury.

Treatment

• Some who suffer from osteoarthritis choose to get surgery to repair their deteroriated joint(s).

  In many cases, doctors will recommend taking mild pain medication daily or when flare-ups occur, depending on how severe your osteoarthritis is. Doctors commonly suggest the over-the-counter Naproxen to help control pain and lessen inflammation of the joints. Doctors also often recommend different stretches and techniques individuals can take to lessen strain on their joints. Your doctor may couple these techniques with a form of physical or massage therapy. In some cases, your doctor will recommend periodically getting cortisone shots, which have been known to help reduce joint pain caused by swelling. For very serious cases of OA, surgery can be performed, particularly in instances when OA was brought on by a malformed joint caused by a genetic abnormality.