Degenerative Arthritis

Arthritis is the general name given to a wide array of degenerative joint conditions. Although there are over 100 different types of degenerative arthritis, in general, arthritis is a condition that occurs as a particular joint is worn down. The result of any one of the many types of degenerative arthritis can vary according to the specific type and the individual person.

Expert arthritis Information

Regardless of the types of degenerative arthritis one has, one is likely to experience pain, discomfort, a lack of mobility and possible burning and tingling sensation running from the body’s upper and lower extremities.

QualityHealth is your resource for understanding the types of degenerative arthritis, including spinal arthritis and knee arthritis. From understanding the cause and the types of degenerative arthritis, QualityHealth provides you a wealth of information all with a simple click of the mouse.

As a member of QualityHealth, you get quick and convenient access to the most up to date degenerative arthritis information. At QualityHealth we specialize in ensuring you get the most thorough information available.

Osteoarthritis

Background: One of the many types of arthritis is osteoarthritis, often known simply as degenerative arthritis.

Cause: Osteoarthritis is caused by the inflammation, breakdown and eventual erosion of the cartilage that lies between the body’s joints. Typically aging causes the onset of osteoarthritis as the culmination of years using the joints increases the chances of inflammation, swelling and eventual degeneration of the cartilage.

Fact: This is the most common of the types of degenerative arthritis.

Effect: More often than not, oseteoarthritis will affect the spine, hands, feet and such weight bearing joints as the knees and hips. Thus, oseteoarthritis is also referred to by the joint it affects, such as spinal arthritis or knee arthritis.

Spinal Arthritis

Background: Spinal arthritis is a painful condition that leads to chronic back pain.

Symptoms:

• Typical symptoms of spinal arthritis include the usual inflammation, stiffness and pain along with pain specific to the back that often comes and goes.
• Spinal arthritis often causes stiffness in the spine in the morning, especially when one gets out of bed.
• Other symptoms of spinal arthritis include pain and tenderness in the neck, shoulder, hips and knees, along with a pain that radiates down to the buttocks and pelvic area.

Fact: Spinal arthritis is usually worse following an activity and at its most tolerable with rest.

Treatment: Although there is no cure for spinal arthritis, one can manage the pain it causes. Spinal arthritis treatment often involves a combination of medication, physical therapy, exercise and rest.

Knee Arthritis

Cause: Knee arthritis is a wear and tear form of arthritis caused by the progressive wearing away of the cartilage that sits between the bones in the knee joints. As this cartilage is worn away the bones become exposed to each other.

Fact: Knee arthritis is most often found in individuals over the age of 50 and who are overweight.

Cause: Common factors that cause knee arthritis include genetics, trauma and ligament damage.

Symptoms: The symptoms of knee arthritis tend to come and go, with a steady progression of pain. An individual suffering from knee arthritis will associate having pain with activity, a limited range of motion, stiffness and swelling in the knee and a feeling their knee may suddenly give out. Treatment: The best treatment approach for knee arthritis is a combination of weight loss, modification of one’s activity levels, physical therapy, walking aids and medication.

The QualityHealth Difference

Without the proper understanding of degenerative arthritis, knee arthritis and spinal arthritis can develop into painful and debilitating conditions. Although degenerative arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed. By understanding the cause and development of degenerative arthritis, one can live a life virtually unaffected by the condition.

QualityHealth is your comprehensive resource to living with degenerative arthritis. By joining QualityHealth, you get instant, around the clock access to in-depth expert advice on managing degenerative arthritis pain- allowing you to live a healthy and happy life.

Review Date: 12/21/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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