It may be a surprise but something wrong structurally or in the operation of your joints is the precursor to a condition known as Osteoarthritis. So, it’s not being characterized as a single disease. It is a pervasive condition though as it takes in the area around the joint as well as the joint itself along with the muscles close in to the joint, the bones under and around it, any ligaments involved in the joints operation including the lining of the joint and its cover.
There are several phases to the disease as over time cartilage is lost. A natural process of the cartilage trying to repair itself starts with the bone remodeling itself, a hardening occurs and cysts form on the bone. The series begins with a stationary phase where the joint spaces narrow with the formation of osteophytes. Then that joint space is wiped out. Then the erosive phase begins with buildup of cysts underneath the cartilage. Then the last phase occurs with the bone repair and a remodeling of the bone.
There are varieties of causes that start the process of Osteoarthritis.
The area of Endocrines can imply a tendency to Osteoarthritis, meaning that people with diabetes are susceptible to it. Obesity and thyroid problems are also possible situations that can spur the development of Osteoarthritis.
After some trauma to a bone or joint, there is likely to be a beginning of the process of this disease. Such injuries as a bone break where they don’t line up for healing correctly and stability is lost or cartilage is damaged. At a micro level for this, you might see a buildup over time because of repetitive movement of the area or the overuse of an area in a working environment.
There are inflammatory diseases of the joints that include when joints are infected, or chronic gout occurs and possible rheumatoid disease.
There are also metabolic, congenital (abnormal anatomy issues), and genetic issues that can lead to Osteoarthritis. Diabetes and other neuropathic diseases where the nerves cause the body to not know it is injured. Finally, nutrition issues and a few other diseases of the blood can feed the process.
If you have the following symptoms, you may want to check further into this condition. Pain is the primary indicator in the specific areas of an aching pain, stiffness or issues in moving joints. As you use the joint, more the pain increases and pain increases at night. Joints where you may experience this pain are the fingers, hip or knees. Heavy physical work over extended periods of time in certain professions have been seen as potential risk factors for Osteoarthritis (OA). For the knees being involved, squatting or kneeling repetitively may also be causes of OA.
There have also been cases of OA of the spine creates bone spurs (osteophytes) where nerves are pinched or crowded yielding pain and weaknesses in arms or legs.
If you have any of these pains, symptoms or conditions thought to be able to initiate OA, check with your doctor about what you can do to reduce the likelihood this becomes a debilitating condition for you.
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