Joint Jamming Joint Pain!
Considering the nearly endless discussion on healthcare reform these days and the constant presence of ads from pharmaceutical companies, it’s not much of a stretch to think that our country must be pretty sick! Actually, if you were to guess, what would you say is the number one cause of disability for people over the age of 18 in the US? If you were to say “joint problems” you’d be correct. “Arthritis” or a painful condition of the joints unfortunately affects tens of millions of Americans. One especially debilitating example of this is called “osteoarthritis”.
Osteoarthritis or “Degenerative Joint Disease” is the most common form of arthritis. Unlike Rheumatoid arthritis, it is not due to inflammation or to an autoimmune process. Rather, osteoarthritis typically results from the simple wear and tear that joints undergo in the normal progression of life. Over time, the cartilage which ‘pads’ the joint wears down until eventually the end of one bone starts to grind against the adjacent bone. As you might expect, this can be exquisitely painful and lead to structural damage within the bone itself. Eventually, inflammation along with weak ligaments and muscles can also become a part of the problem.
Multiple factors including genetics, dietary habits, and biomechanical issues may predispose one to developing osteoarthritis. A previous traumatic incident or a history of inflammation may be contributive as well. Typically, people tend to experience symptoms which progressively get worse towards the end of the day and are localized to a joint on just one side of the body (not both sides-as in RA). Individuals may also suffer from stiff or sore joints which oddly tend to flare up prior to a change in weather patterns. Finally, bony enlargements in joint areas are also not uncommon.
While degenerative joint disease can affect nearly any joint within the body, the ball of the foot is one of the most commonly affected areas. For this reason, podiatrists have lots of experience in addressing this condition. Thankfully, unlike many disorders affecting the bones or joints, osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed on X-ray and doesn’t often require an MRI or more invasive test for confirmation. This and other clinical findings can help your podiatrist to rule out other potential scenarios such as RA, gout, or fractures.
Once the diagnosis of osteoarthritis has been established, the doctor will discuss with you an appropriate treatment regimen tailored to your needs. This will typically include modalities aimed at pain relief and include conservative measures like physical or occupational therapy, management programs, and assistive devices. Various medications may also be administered to help with pain relief. Finally, more aggressive measures might include things like joint remodeling surgeries or injections with gelatinous materials to cushion the joint.
Adequate motion within the joint spaces of our feet is critical for maintaining our mobility. When osteoarthritis begins to compromise that motion, your podiatrist can help to maximize joint function and your quality of life.
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I find these articles to be very helpful! I always check back for any updated ones! I have osteoarthritis at a very young age and I enjoy further eduacating myself on the topic. Thanks for the great post!