Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Degeneration

In simple words degeneration occurs when cartilage, which serves as the working surface of joint, is replaced by the bone. Synovitis is the inflammation inside the joint capsule in which joint is located. Synovial membrane produces synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant for the joint. In OA this membrane gets inflamed and quantity of the fluid produced decreases

Aetiology (causes) of OA: External causes - Trauma and micro-traumas of the joint, functional overloading, hypermobility of joints (extra flexible joints).

Pathogenesis (resultant effects): Artificial ageing of cartilage takes place as a result of traumas and overloading. Metabolism in the cartilage is disturbed. Cartilage loses elasticity and becomes rough, and it starts cracking. As cartilage does not absorb (cushion) the load, the load is born by the bone under the cartilage thereby as a result the bone gets compressed. Lose fragments of cartilage inside the joint irritate the synovial membrane, which leads to its frequent inflammation.

Symptoms:

1. Pain of joints occurs under the load, which gets severe towards the evening and decreases by the night.

2. During initial stages the pain is felt during first steps, which then disappears.

3. Frequent jamming of the joint accompanied by an acute pain and is caused when dead piece of cartilage comes between articular surfaces. The pain subsequently disappears by a particular movement, which removes it from the articular surfaces.

4. Cracks in the joints.

5. Relatively small restricted mobility in the joint.

After all these agonies, one can say that joints are the most favored places for OA

Treatment: Generally speaking, there is not much one can do to get relief from OA as cartilage degeneration can not be reversed. Anti-inflammatory drugs can get you temporary relief. Physiotherapy is also a good option. One can also try Su-jok therapy and in some people it has shown very good results. Besides all the preventive measures, physical exercises and medications, one must remember that it is very important to get your cartilage metabolism on track and for this there has to be something which can help you. Glucosamine has proved to be a good supplement for not only getting the relief from severe pains related to osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration, and even helps you get back to a normal life. Liquid glucosamine is much more effective than in the form of capsules.