What does having degenerative joint disease mean?

OSTEOATHRITIS: Degenerative arthitis is not the best name for this arthritis. We like to use the term osteoarthritis since joints are not degenerating or falling apart but joints get narrowed with loss of cartilage. This is what causes pain. Osteoarthritis can affect many areas including the spine, thumbs, hips, and knees. It is not an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is more common over 50.

DDD and aging: Degenerative joint disease is part of the process of aging, though it can be accelerated due to medication, structure damage causing additional wear on adjacent joint, or familial tendancy to this syndrome. It is the breakdown of the joint, often the spinal discs, causing nerve pain or simple bone pain. Medications (non-opioid) or surgery may be in your future.