Degenerative arthritis impacts more than 80% of adults aged 55 and older. It stands as the most widespread joint disease today. Most people notice pain, stiffness, and joint swelling, though not everyone shows symptoms. Your hands, knees, hips, neck, and lower back are common sites where osteoarthritis develops, though it can affect any joint.
Understanding Degenerative Arthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, is the most common joint disease worldwide. It is a part of normal aging. This condition differs from inflammatory arthritis types because it’s a degenerative joint condition. The disease breaks down and eventually destroys the cartilage between joints. It attacks the entire joint structure. The bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat tissues, and joint lining all suffer damage as time goes on.
How cartilage breakdown occurs
The damage starts in the smooth cartilage that cushions bone ends. Healthy joints have slippery tissue that lets bones move against each other. The disease activates normal cartilage cells that change and start breaking down cartilage. Joints stop moving as cartilage gets thinner and rougher. The body tries to fix this damage which leads to a bunch of changes.
- Bone spurs might form around joint edges
- Joint lining can thicken
- Supporting tissues may destabilize joints
- Small pieces of bone or cartilage can break loose
Damaged cartilage’s collagen network never fully heals to its original state. That’s why degenerative arthritis usually gets worse instead of healing.
Common joints affected
Degenerative arthritis can develop anywhere, but it mostly attacks weight-bearing joints and those we use a lot.
Knees
These joints handle extreme stress and body weight, often affecting both knees.
Hips
Ball and socket joints that carry significant weight.
Hands
The base of the thumb and finger end joints suffer most, especially in women after menopause.
Spine
Both neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) areas can be affected.
Feet
The joint at the big toe’s base often develops problems.
Shoulders, elbows, ankles, and jaw can also develop osteoarthritis. Each joint shows different symptoms based on its structure and function. Age, obesity, joint injuries, repeated stress, genetics, and certain metabolic diseases increase your risk. These factors help explain why the disease develops and progresses differently in each person.
Recognizing Degenerative Arthritis Signs
Spotting degenerative arthritis symptoms early can help you manage your condition better. Osteoarthritis doesn’t appear overnight. It develops in patterns that help patients and specialists know the right time to intervene.
Early warning signs
Your body sends signals when degenerative arthritis starts. Joint pain usually shows up in specific areas and gets worse with activity but feels better after rest. Mild stiffness might appear in the morning or after you sit too long, though it typically goes away within 30 minutes. Light pressure near affected joints might feel tender, and you could notice slightly limited movement.
Progressive symptoms
Symptoms become harder to ignore as osteoarthritis moves forward. Pain shows up with less activity and might wake you up at night. Stiff joints become more common, and you’ll probably notice grinding sensations or hear popping and crackling sounds when you move. Physical changes start to show up way more often. Joints develop bony enlargements called osteophytes. The condition leads to swollen joints, reduced movement, and more noticeable stability problems.
When to seek medical attention
Reach out to Dr. Lomibao at Lomibao Rheumatology if any of these are occurring!
- Joint pain lasts more than two weeks despite home treatment
- Pain shows up in multiple joints at once
- You see swelling, redness, or unusual warmth around a joint
- Joint stiffness continues longer than 30 minutes after waking
- Symptoms disrupt your daily life or sleep
Getting checked fast matters most when joints feel unstable or “give out.” Early diagnosis at Lomibao Rheumatology lets doctors intervene before major joint damage happens, which could slow the disease and protect your mobility.
Diagnosis Process at Lomibao Rheumatology
Dr. Lomibao uses a step-by-step approach to diagnose degenerative arthritis because no single test can confirm osteoarthritis with certainty. Her expertise in spotting differences between joint conditions will give you a precise diagnosis, even when symptoms look similar to other types of arthritis.
Physical examination techniques
Your diagnostic experience starts with a detailed medical history. Dr. Lomibao records your symptoms, how they progress, and what makes your discomfort better or worse. She then performs a full physical exam that has these steps.
- Looking at affected joints
- Checking your range of motion
- Watching how you walk and handle daily activities
- Looking for muscle weakness
- Checking if your joints are stable
This hands-on assessment helps spot typical joint patterns and tell osteoarthritis apart from inflammatory conditions.
Imaging tests for confirmation
Physical exams give valuable information, but imaging tests confirm the diagnosis.
X-rays are the main imaging tool and show a few things.
- Narrowing joint spaces that suggest cartilage loss
- Bone spurs (osteophytes) around joint edges
- Hardened bone beneath cartilage
Dr. Lomibao might suggest advanced imaging for complex cases. MRI scans create detailed soft tissue pictures and reveal early cartilage changes before they show up on X-rays.
Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis
Dr. Lomibao at Lomibao Rheumatology creates personalized treatment plans for patients with degenerative arthritis. Each plan focuses on pain relief and better function based on the patient’s needs and how severe their condition is.
Medication approaches
Most osteoarthritis treatment plans start with pain management medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) works well for mild to moderate pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation. Many patients get better relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen which come in pill form or as creams.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a big part of managing degenerative arthritis. Your physical therapist designs exercises to make muscles stronger around affected joints and helps you move better. Programs usually mix range-of-motion activities, strength training, and exercises like walking or swimming.
Injection therapies
Joint injections can help when pills don’t give enough relief. Corticosteroid injections put strong anti-inflammatory medicine right into affected joints. The relief comes fast and can last several weeks or months. Yes, it is a great option during pain flares. Hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation) work like your joint’s natural lubricant. These might give longer-lasting relief in knee arthritis.
Do You Need Degenerative Arthritis Help?
Degenerative arthritis affects everyone differently which makes customized care important to get the best results. Patients can schedule an appointment at Lomibao Rheumatology today. We will discuss your symptoms and help find treatments that work best for you.
Degenerative Arthritis FAQs
What are the early signs of degenerative arthritis?
Early signs include localized joint pain that worsens with activity, mild morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, tenderness near affected joints, and slight decrease in range of motion.
How is degenerative arthritis diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves an approach including a thorough medical history, physical examination of affected joints, and imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans. Blood tests and joint fluid analysis may also be performed to rule out other conditions that can mimic osteoarthritis symptoms.
What are some effective treatment options for managing degenerative arthritis?
Treatment options include pain management medications like acetaminophen or NSAIDs, physical and occupational therapy, and joint injections (corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid).
Can lifestyle changes help in managing degenerative arthritis?
Yes, lifestyle changes can help manage degenerative arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular low-impact exercises, using assistive devices when necessary, and making ergonomic adjustments at home and work can all contribute to better symptom management and improved quality of life.
When should I seek medical attention for joint pain?
You should seek medical attention if joint pain persists for more than two weeks despite home treatment, affects multiple joints simultaneously, is accompanied by significant swelling or redness, or if joint stiffness lasts longer than 30 minutes after waking.