Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)

What is Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)?

Degenerative Joint Disease, commonly known as osteoarthritis, is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This degeneration leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced joint mobility. It most commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spinal joints.

Types of Osteoarthritis

– Primary Osteoarthritis: Occurs due to natural aging and joint wear and tear.
– Secondary Osteoarthritis: Results from injury, overuse, obesity, or underlying medical conditions.
– Spinal Osteoarthritis: Targets the facet joints and intervertebral discs in the spine.

Causes

Common causes and risk factors include:
– Aging and joint overuse
– Joint injuries or trauma
– Obesity and excess weight
– Genetic predisposition
– Poor joint alignment or congenital abnormalities
– Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms

Typical symptoms include:
– Joint pain and tenderness
– Stiffness, especially in the morning or after inactivity
– Swelling around affected joints
– Reduced range of motion
– Clicking or grinding sensations (crepitus)
– Joint deformity in advanced cases

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves:
– Medical history and physical examination
– X-rays to identify joint space narrowing and bone changes
– MRI or ultrasound for soft tissue and cartilage assessment
– Blood tests to rule out inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
– Joint aspiration if needed to exclude infection or gout

Conservative Treatment for Degenerative Joint Disease

Non-surgical treatments include:
– Activity modification and joint protection strategies
– Physical therapy and exercise
– Weight loss to reduce joint stress
– Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs
– Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections
– Use of assistive devices like braces or canes

Surgical Treatment for Degenerative Joint Disease

When conservative measures are not effective, surgery may be necessary. Options include:
– Arthroscopy to clean out damaged cartilage
– Facetectomy & Rhizotomy
– Joint fusion (arthrodesis) in severe cases