Osteoarthritis
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Symptoms of osteoarthritis may include stiffness upon movement, especially after being sedentary for a period. The stiffness is usually resolved in a few minutes after sustained motion, unlike the stiffness of RA which may last for hours. Along with this stiffness may be the annoyance of crepitus (creaking and cracking) of joints during motion.
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Most early degenerative changes are first recognized at the joint cartilage. These changes can be divided into two types, primary DJD and secondary DJD. In primary DJD no predisposing injury or precipitating event can be found. The degenerative changes and associated symptoms simply occur after the fifth or sixth decade of life.
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| In secondary DJD an underlying abnormality or precipitating trauma occurs that later results in osteoarthritis. Causes of secondary DJD may include bad posture, being overweight, overuse of a joint and poor nutritional habits may be contributory. Whatever the case, the joint cartilage is the first site of involvement. The surface cartilage becomes rougher and tends to loosen and flake. The deeper cartilage shows signs of fissure (groove) formation and loses its elasticity. Ultimately, the cartilage degenerates and leads to loss of joint spacing. This in turn leads to further wear and tear of the involved joint. |
Outward signs may involve swelling or cystic formation in the knees and the distal joints of the fingers (those closest to the fingertips). Therapy is usually directed toward avoiding the sedentary lifestyle and restoring joint mobility though manipulation and exercise.
