Question 1

what is osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

Cartilage breakdown: Oa occurs as the joint lining or articular cartilage begins to breakdown. The breakdown can be a result of trauma, injury, oversuse, malalignment, increased stress from excess weight, poor nutrition, a lack of exercise, or a combination of any of these items.

Question 2

what are signs of osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

Pain: Pain is not always the primary symptom of osteoarthreitis, particularly at at its earliest stages. Nor does osteoathritis of the spine always cause pain. It does cause pain especially in the the major joints of the body, ie the shoulders, hips and knees.  There will be pain with weightbearing and there will be limited range of motion. X-rays will show osteoarthritis and should be done when suspect.

Question 3

what is osteoarthritis? what causes it?

Accepted Answer

Wear and tear arthri: This is more mechanical in most  people. With  maturity, with previous injuries, in some with genetics,  being over weight, previous joint surgery the joints lose cartilage as it wears down and thins  out and development of  bone spurring as part of the mechanical damage.  There can be metabolic issues  related to the bone and cartilage plays a role but both wear out.

Question 4

please describe to me what osteoarthritis is?

Accepted Answer

Wear and tear: Osteoarthritis (aka degenerative joint disease) occurs when the cartilage lining the bones in the joint wear out, leading to bone on bone contact and pain. Virtually everyone older than 50 has this, and younger people can also get it if they are in physically demanding or highly repetitive jobs.

Question 5

could you potentially have osteoarthritis at 39?

Accepted Answer

Yes: At almost any age, but more commonly as we get older.

Question 6

is osteoarthritis curable?

Accepted Answer

No: Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the actual joint surface which in general is a non-eversible event.   Exciting fast pace research is being conducted around the word in an attempt to discover the causes of joint degeneration and find ways to grow new cartilage.  That research is in its' infancy and widespread clinical use of this research is years, or decades away.

Question 7

how to treat osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is wear &amp; tear arthritis, not inflammatory type like rheumatoid arthritis. That said, exercise &amp; weight loss (if overweight or obese) are key to treating pain &amp; disability. Check out http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/basics/definition/con-20014749. Consider consulting Physical and/or Occupational Therapist depending upon joint that's affected.

Question 8

can osteoarthritis cause uveitis?

Accepted Answer

No: The association between inflammatory eye disease and arthritis occurs with inflammtory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.  There is no association with osteo-arthritis and uveitis.

Question 9

what is stage 4 osteoarthritis

Accepted Answer

Further progression: I know of three stages for osteoarthritis.
1- start of the disease.
2-progression of the disease.
3-advance progression of the disease.
4-further progression of the disease.

Question 10

is there a cure for osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

Cure unlikely: The saying goes, cure seldom treat often, comfort always! osteoarthritis is a degenerative, wear and tear process which is almost inevitable as we grow older!

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