March 29, 2024

Degenerative arthritis: Definition, signs, causes, treatment, and more – Medical News Today

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Arthritis is an umbrella term for diseases that affect a person’s joints. Degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a form of arthritis that develops due to aging or overuse.

Degenerative arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United State…….

Arthritis is an umbrella term for diseases that affect a person’s joints. Degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a form of arthritis that develops due to aging or overuse.

Degenerative arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, where more than 32.5 million adults are living with the condition.

It is sometimes known as the “wear and tear” form of arthritis, as it often occurs due to the natural aging process. It can also develop as a result of an injury or the overuse of a particular joint.

In this article, we look at the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of degenerative arthritis.

The symptoms of degenerative arthritis vary depending on where in the body a person develops the disease. They usually get worse over time rather than occurring suddenly, except in the case of injuries.

Regardless of which parts of the body the condition affects, common symptoms may include:

  • pain, often throbbing
  • dull aching
  • swelling
  • reduced flexibility
  • clicking or popping noises when a joint bends
  • stiffness
  • decreased range of motion

Typically, joint stiffness will present early in the morning or after periods of rest, and it will last for up to 30 minutes before loosening up again. The joint pain can either be predictable and low level, lasting for long periods, or take the form of intense unpredictable bursts of pain.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the parts of the body that OA most often affects include the:

  • fingers and thumbs
  • knees
  • hips
  • neck
  • lower back

As the condition progresses, people may find themselves unable to complete activities such as holding a coffee pot, going up steps, or walking long distances.

People develop degenerative arthritis when the joint cartilage between bones becomes damaged or breaks down.

Often, the body activates a repair mechanism to attempt to remedy this damage. As part of this, bone spurs, or osteophytes, may grow within the joint at the end of the bone. These can then cause friction within the joint and lead …….

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/degenerative-arthritis

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