Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (or OA) occurs when the joints that connect our bones begin to break down. A joint is a point of articulation where two bones meet to create movement. Because we rely on our joints constantly to perform our everyday tasks, OA can cause chronic discomfort.

Also known as degenerative joint disease, OA affects the cartilage that lines your joints. Cartilage is a rubbery substance that serves a protective function: It provides a slippery surface over which your bones can glide. Without this cartilage, your bones would grind against one another, creating bone-on-bone friction and painful inflammation.

This is essentially what happens in OA. Wear and tear from factors such as aging can eat away at the surface of this cartilage until it completely disappears. Other factors that can speed up this loss of cartilage include:

Genes: Our genetic makeup often plays a role in the diseases that we will develop during our lifetimes. And, OA is no exception. Certain genes dictate the quality of our cartilage, which also means that certain people will go on to develop OA. For reasons not entirely understood, we also know that women are more likely to develop OA than men.

Body Weight: When it comes to body weight, carrying a few extra pounds can make all the difference in the world as to whether or not we will develop OA. As we gain weight, our bones most cope with the added stress on our joints. Not only this, but researchers now believe that fatty tissue may release proteins that can degrade our cartilage.

Joint Injuries & Misuse: High-impact sports and jobs that require heavy lifting cause the joints to sustain repeated injuries. Over time, our joints will warp and change in ways that encourage further cartilage loss. Everything is a delicate balance. For example, standing too often, or conversely, not often enough, can alter your joint quality.

Deformities & Diseases: If you were born with a joint deformity (perhaps without even realizing it), then you are more likely to develop OA. In addition, certain diseases, like hemophilia, enhance your risk of acquiring OA.

Do you have any of these risk factors? If so, it doesn’t mean that you will go on to develop osteoarthritis. However, 27 million Americans will. To beat the odds, see a doctor who can confirm your risk and help you develop a “prevention” plan. As the cliche goes, the best offense is a good defense.

For OA advice that you can trust, contact Dr. Charles A. Gatto of The Advanced Spine Center. Dr. Gatto is a board-certified spine surgeon who specializes in complex cases of joint degeneration.

Osteoarthritis affects more than just the cartilage that cushions your bones. OA also attacks your bones, ligaments, tendons, discs, and joint lining (or synovial membrane). If you have been diagnosed with OA, then you may also experience the following joint changes:

Discs & Bones
Disc Changes: This is more of a chicken vs. the egg scenario, really. Degenerative Disc Disease, or breakdown of the spinal discs, often leads to OA… or vice versa. For those who developed OA first, the loss of cartilage around a joint reduces the amount of space that exists between our bones. When this occurs, it applies extra pressure to our spinal discs, hastening wear and tear and leading to herniated discs.

Spinal Bone Spurs: When your joints lack sufficient cartilage to prevent friction, your body responds by producing bone spurs. Bone spurs are tiny outcroppings of bone that form in heavy-use areas of the spine. You can think of a bone spur as your spine’s version of a callus. Although bone spurs get a bad rap, they only cause problems when they press against spinal nerves. That’s when symptoms like pain and tingling in the arms and legs begin to emerge.

The Soft Tissues
Ligaments & Tendons: Just as OA can cause the body to produce extra bone in the form of bone spurs, so can the existing ligaments and tendons of your spine begin to calcify. In particular, OA causes the ligamentum flavum–the longest ligament in your spine–to harden. Because the ligamentum flavum covers your spinal cord and runs from C2 all the way down to your sacrum, nerve complications can ensue.

Joint Lining: Your synovial membrane (or joint lining) produces a slippery liquid aptly named synovial fluid. Like oil in a car, synovial fluid serves to lubricate your joints. OA causes damage to the synovial membrane in the form of irritation. Over time, the synovial fluid becomes much thinner, losing its ability to permit frictionless movement over the joint surface.

However, OA doesn’t just affect the spine. Weight-bearing joints, like the hips and knees, also suffer. And, even your thumbs and big toes can be affected. To beat the degenerative cascade, don’t delay. Contact one of our board-certified spine specialists, like Dr. George Naseef, today! An osteoarthritis expert, Dr. Naseef is a recipient of the Patient’s Choice & Compassionate Doctor awards by Vitals.com.