Degenerative arthritis stands for disintegrating joint disorder that is marked by a progressive ailment of the bones and joints. Mostly, this disorder influences those folks who are above 40 or 50 as it is the outcome of erosion taking place in the articular cartilage with the passage of time. Also known as degenerative bone disease or degenerative osteoarthritis, this disease has affected over 20 million US citizens.

Degenerative arthritis is basically the result of inflammation and cartilage loss as well as breakdown, and some deformity or injury left untreated in the bones. This cartilage is very vital for the bones that slide over each other protectively due to the cartilage that is a shock absorber. With age and time, the cartilage becomes weak and witnesses its wear and tear due to which the bones create friction by rubbing against one another. Due to this, one experiences swelling, pain, and movement loss. It usually strikes in the joint parts of feet, hands, hips, spine, and knees.

Causes

It is unfortunate that a majority of the degenerative diseases do not possess a known responsible factor. But, listed below are the main factors that can lead to degenerative arthritis.

• Age: People over 45 are prone to this degenerative bone disease.
• Gender: As compared to males, ladies are more prone to it.
• Genetic: A few pre-existing situations such as faulty cartilage and deformity in joints might induce the degenerative disorder.
• Fractures: Accidents that instill an injury or fracture to the joints lead to weak bones and so invite degenerative bone disorder later.
• Other Medical Conditions: If one is already having rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Paget’s disease, or hemochromatosis, then the chances of this disorder is high. Further, vitamin D deficiency, chronic kidney issues, parathyroid disease, and senile osteoporosis might also lead to this disease.

Common degenerative arthritis types :

These are identified as per the affected part or joint. Listed below are the common degenerative arthritis types.

Degenerative Arthritis in Spine

In this case, the spinal elements worsen with time including the spinal cord joints.

The symptoms are:

• Badly affected nerves and more pressure
• Back pain
• Spine stiffness particularly in the morning
• Tenderness experienced in shoulders and hips
• Heel pain
• Numbness in legs or arms
• Difficulty in walking as well as bending
• Spine deformity

Degenerative Arthritis in Neck

Also called cervical spondylosis or cervical osteoarthritis, the seven nerves of the top part of the spine in the neck are badly influenced. This is quite aching and is primarily linked with the disk dislocation, muscle sprain, and or spinal cord damage.

The symptoms are:

• Severe pain in neck
• Headaches at the rear of the head
• Shoulder pain
• Neck stiffness
• Difficulty in bending or moving the neck
• Arm pain and numbness in the arm
• Clumsy hands
• Leg numbness
• Shaking while walking (mostly in aged people)
• Coughing
• Sneezing

Degenerative Arthritis in Hips

Seen in folks above 50, it mostly strikes in overweight people. It can be heredity too.

The symptoms are:

• Pain in hips while doing something
• Limited movement
• Hip stiffness
• Limping

Degenerative Arthritis in Knees

This is mostly because of knee fractures, ligament damage, or knee trauma.

The symptoms are:

• Pain while doing something
• Limited movement
• Knee stiffness and swelling
• Bow legs or knock knees

Treatments

• Prescribed Corticosteroids, NSAIDs, Glucocorticoids, acetaminophen, and aspirin
• Acupuncture, ice packs, hot water therapy, and herbal remedies
• Weight management
• Exercises
• Water aerobics
• Physical therapy
• Surgery
• Healthy lifestyle
• Nutritional diet
• No smoking and alcohol
• Positive attitude, the most important