what is osteoarthritis?
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•  Osteoarthritis  \n\nOsteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, and sometimes referred to as "arthrosis" or "osteoarthrosis"), is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. Due to decreased movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax. OA is the most common form of arthritis. The word is derived from the Greek word "osteo", meaning "of the bone", "arthro", meaning "joint", and "itis", meaning inflammation, although many sufferers have little or no inflammation. \n\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoarthritis\n------------------------------------\n \n\n-------------------------------------\n\nBrittanica\nA disorder of the joints, characterized by progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage. It is the most common joint disease, affecting more than 80 percent of those who reach the age of 70. Although its suffix indicates otherwise, osteoarthritis is not characterized by excessive joint inflammation.
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Mayo Clinic says it is not good for arthritis.\n\nYucca supplements have long been touted as a possible treatment for osteoarthritis. However, except for one small preliminary study reported in 1975, there have been no published clinical trials evaluating its effectiveness in treating osteoarthritis. Yucca is a group of evergreen shrubs and trees that grows in arid regions of North America. Although scientific studies have validated many alternative and complementary therapies for osteoarthritis, yucca is not one of them.
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Short-Term Relief\n\n    * Medications--Because people with osteoarthritis have very little inflammation, pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol*) may be effective. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis generally have pain caused by inflammation and often benefit from aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).\n\n    * Heat and cold--The decision to use either heat or cold for arthritis pain depends on the type of arthritis and should be discussed with your doctor or physical therapist. Moist heat, such as a warm bath or shower, or dry heat, such as a heating pad, placed on the painful area of the joint for about 15 minutes may relieve the pain. An ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) wrapped in a towel and placed on the sore area for about 15 minutes may help to reduce swelling and stop the pain. If you have poor circulation, do not use cold packs.\n\n    * Joint protection--Using a splint or a brace to allow joints to rest and protect them from injury can be helpful. Your physician or physical therapist can make recommendations.\n\n    * Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)--A small TENS device that directs mild electric pulses to nerve endings that lie beneath the skin in the painful area may relieve some arthritis pain. TENS seems to work by blocking pain messages to the brain and by modifying pain perception.\n\n    * Massage--In this pain-relief approach, a massage therapist will lightly stroke and/or knead the painful muscle. This may increase blood flow and bring warmth to a stressed area. However, arthritis-stressed joints are very sensitive, so the therapist must be familiar with the problems of the disease.\n\nOsteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are chronic diseases that may last a lifetime. Learning how to manage your pain over the long term is an important factor in controlling the disease and maintaining a good quality of life. Following are some sources of long-term pain relief.
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"Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common condition in children often referred to as growing pains of the knees. Osgood-Schlatter disease is the result of rapid growth and pulling of the tendons around the growth plate of the knee in adolescents. The large quadriceps muscle of the front of the thigh attaches to a bump over the front of the shin bone. When this large muscle contracts, it pulls on this tendon. Over time, repetitive pulling, combined with the growth taking place in the bone, causes irritation of the growth plate. Osgood-Schlatter is most common in active adolescents."\n\nMy son was diagnosed with Osgood-Schatter disease when he was going through a very rapid growth spurt in his early teens.  He actually had to wear a cast for a few months.  Today, about 10 years later, he has no problems with his knees, or legs, is very healthy and very active in all sports, particularly skiing and mountain biking.\n\nLots more information on this disease listed below.  Hope that helps.
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As far as osteoarthritis, it is a wear-and tear arthritis that is likely caused by stress on the joints over a period of years (that's why you tend to get it when you are older).\n\nRheumatoid arthritis, however, is an autoimmune disease, and doctors are unsure of its causes.  Some think it may be a reaction to an infection that triggers the overactive immune system to attack the bodies own joints, but there is no way to be sure.  Some blame it on environmental toxins.  There is likely a genetic factor that contributes as well.\n\nCheck out http://www.arthritis.org for information on the over 100 types of arthritis, their symptoms treatments, and possible causes.\n\nPS - No, you don't get arthritis from popping your knuckles (in case that's what you were thinking).\n\nPPS - I'm not sure where onebeeswax got the info, and it could be a present theory for causes of arthritis, but I have done lots of reading on it since I was diagnosed with RA a year ago, and talked with my rheumatologist, and I've never heard of that specific theory.  At best it is a guess, and I would not take that answer as an actual cause for arthritis.  But it is an interesting theory.
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The menisci play an important role in absorbing about a third of the impact load that the joint cartilage surface sees. It's been shown that complete removal of a meniscus can result in progressive arthritis in the joint within a decade or so in a younger patient, sooner in patients who are older with preexisting "wear-and-tear" osteoarthritis. The menisci also cup the joint surfaces of the femur and therefore provide some degree of stabilization to the knee.
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Paget's disease is a chronic bone disorder that typically results in enlarged, deformed bones due to irregular breakdown and formation of bone tissue. Paget's disease can cause bones to weaken and may result in bone pain, arthritis, bone deformities and fractures. Paget's disease is also known as osteitis deformans.
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a disease of the hip-----check out the site\n\nhttp://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=160&topcategory=Hip
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I am so sorry...I don't know what "AA" arthritis is, but I have had "post traumatic" arthritis for 25 years..that is just another name for osteoarthritis caused by a severe bone injury.  People don't understand, do they???  It becomes such an emotional and mental drain as well as physical because you don't want to do anything...because everything hurts.  \n\nI don't see a doctor regularly because I know there really isn't anything they can do, and certainly not a cure for it.  I take Celebrex when I can afford it...it is cost-prohibitive without insurance.  I take it in spite of the warning and negative press.  Maybe it does increase the risks of internal bleeding and heart disease....so what?  I need it to move around.  People I know with the same affliction who say Celebrex doesn't help them take Aleve.  I also take glucosamine sulfate...it doesn't help much with the pain, but it does retard further bone deterioiration.  \n\nLastly, no matter how much it hurts, try to get up and move.  the longer I remain immobile, the more it hurts.  \n\nI sincerely hope you find some relief!!!\n\nMD Lean
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Are you thinking of costochondritis?
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Ossification is the process of bone formation, in which connective tissues, such as cartilage are turned to bone or bone-like tissue. The ossified tissue is invaginated with blood vessels. These blood vessels bring minerals like calcium and deposit it in the ossifying tissue. It is thought that this process led to bone as a structural element in vertebrates. Minerals were deposited in cartilage, which was used for storage. Bone was thus an exaptation from the ossified cartilage
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there is currently no proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the spine.\nSorry. We have very powerful drugs to ease the pain.
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Arthritis(from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation) is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. One in three adult Americans suffer from some form of arthritis and the disease affects about twice as many women as men.\n\nArthritic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases; septic arthritis, caused by joint infection; and the more common osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Arthritis can be caused from strains and injuries caused by repetitive motion, sports, overexertion, and falls. Unlike the autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis largely affects older people and results from the degeneration of joint cartilage. Other forms are discussed below.\n\nArthritic joints can be sensitive to weather changes. The increased sensitivity is thought to be caused by the affected joints developing extra nerve endings in an attempt to protect the joint from further damage.\n\nThe carpal tunnel is the space between this sheath (above) and the bones (below) making up the wrist and hand (carpal bones). The term 'carpal tunnel' is also used quite commonly to refer to 'carpal tunnel syndrome' which is a condition where the median nerve is pinched within the tunnel and causes pain and/or numbness of the wrist/hand, once thought to be a result of repetitive motion such as painting or typing.\n\nThey are two different things.
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You should consult an orthopaedic surgeon on the matter. Depending on your level of activity you might need to have the artifical joint replaced in 10 to 15 years. (Kind of a catch-22, the more active you are the sooner the replacement needs replaced) Since you have osteoarthritis somewhat early, there is possiblity of having more than one operation. However, for many with the pain from osteoarthritis, total hip replacement is the best option for increasing quality of life. Hope is helps.
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Osteoarthritis is also refered to as the "wear and tear" disease. Yes, it CAN be very painful. It is an inflammation AND a degenerative problem BUT if left untreated half the time it wil cure itself-all is needed is easing up on the joint when the pain starts and using ice or frozen peas to bring down the inflammation. \n  What the docs dont tell you is that NSAIDS can retard collagen formation and even increase degeneration of the jont. \n  The solution? Glucosamine from an animal source. Not easy to find but it's the best. (Avoid chondroitin-the mollecules are too large for the body to absorb!) Also, as Edgar Cayce would advise, castor oil packs on the joint have proven to be very effective.\n\n   Hope this helps!!\n\n   Godbless
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It is the wearing away and/or softening of the articular cartilage. \n\nThe articular cartilage is a connective tissue that covers and protects the underside of the patella, the bottom end of the femur, and top end of the tibia. It absorbs stress to the knee joint and allows the patella to track smoothly in its femoral groove.\n\nCauses typically include excessive running or similar activity can wear down the articular cartilage over time. This can occur due to the patella not tracking smoothly in its femoral groove.\n\nThe symptoms include pain around the patella (kneecap), usually occurring on the medial (inner) side and below (inferior aspect of the patella).\n\nRecommended Treatment would be R.I.C.E. - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Reduce activity to promote healing. Avoid downhill runs especially. Strengthen surrounding muscles with a professionally recommended program. Apply Ice for 10-15 minutes after each workout to reduce inflammation and pain. (If any skin irritation or adverse reaction occurs due to icing, see your medical doctor). A proper stretching (Quadriceps, Iliotibial Band) routine is highly recommended pre and post workouts. As with any orthopedic injury, a consultation with a sports medicine professional is recommended.
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Osteochondritis dissecans, like Osgood-Schlatter disease, is most commonly found in active adolescents or young adults. It results from a loss of blood supply to the area of bone beneath a joint surface; this may be due to a slight blockage of a small artery, an unrecognized injury, or a minuscule fracture that damages the cartilage overlying the joint. The result is avascular necrosis (bone degeneration due to lack of blood supply). Although osteochondritis dissecans most often affects the inner side of the knee at the end of the femur, it may be found in other parts of the knee or other joints as well. As time goes on, the lack of blood causes the affected bone and its cartilage covering to loosen, resulting in pain and possibly severe osteoarthritis.