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Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease affecting over 20 million individuals in the US alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the annual health care costs of the disease is upwards of $128 billion. In recent years this figure has grown, mostly due to the increasing age of the population. The CDC projects that an additional 8 million people will be diagnosed in the next decade.
Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that result in joint pain. Most often, people are referring to osteoarthritis (OA) when they discuss arthritis. OA or degenerative joint disease is characterized by changes in the cartilage that normally sits between bones at the joint. Cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones, but as the cartilage wears away, the space between the bone narrows until the underlying bone is exposed. Pain eventually results from wear on the naked bone, as well as increased stress and fatigue of the muscles that support the joint.
Other types of arthritis include: rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis or crystal-induced arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by an irregular attack on the immune system on the lining of the joint. As a result, the joint becomes inflamed and fluid builds up resulting in pain. This chronic disease can also result in damage of other organ systems. Early treatment is key to preventing disability from this disease.
Similarly, septic, or infectious, arthritis benefits greatly from early diagnosis and treatment, how it represents a much more acute process. When a joint becomes infected, bacteria can quickly cause permanent damage to the tissue.
Crystal-induced arthritis, gout and pseudogout, is caused by crystal deposits within the joint which cause an inflator response and pain. Although the attacks are temporary at first, overtime, the deposits can result in permanent joint damage.
There is no single cause of OA, but rather, the condition is due to the accumulation of various stresses. For instances, those who are obese are at an increased risk. Not only does the extra weight translate into an increased load on your joints, but recent research suggests that body fat produces chemicals which appear to further harm the joint. Moreover, many individuals with chronic joint pain can usuallyrecall a specific injury or a history of overuse. Some jobs, like athletics, manual labor, machine operators and typists, have an increased risk of developing joint problems.
Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent damage and ease the pain of existing injury. Although pain medication can be helpful, I recommend non-pharmacologic interventions as first line treatment. Chronic use of over the counter pain medications can have consequences for your liver, kidneys and stomach, while not getting to the root of the problem.
