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What Causes Degenerative Joint Disease?

Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, is a condition that can affect any area of the body, including the spine. Individuals who are afflicted with this form of spinal arthritis may experience pain, tenderness, swelling, limited range of motion, stiffness, and numbness in the neck, back, shoulders, hips, buttocks, and extremities. While those who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis are well-aware of the discomfort it can inflict, some may still wonder, “What causes degenerative joint disease?”

Causes

Essentially, degenerative joint disease symptoms are caused by a gradual deterioration of cartilage on joint surfaces. Healthy joints are coated with smooth cartilage, but joints suffering from degeneration have lost this protective coating. Eventually, the joint’s raw surfaces become stiff and inflamed. While the exact cause of degenerative joint disease has yet to be determined, there are several risk factors that have been identified:

• Age – Those over the age of 45 are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
• Gender – Females are twice as likely as males to develop this spinal condition.
• Weight – Excessive weight can apply undue pressure on the spinal joints.
• Overuse – High-impact sports and strenuous occupations can exacerbate the deterioration of joints.

Some of these risk factors, such as age and gender, are unavoidable, but taking action to avoid the others can lessen the chances for developing severe degenerative joint disease.

Treatments

Most osteoarthritis symptoms can be alleviated with conservative treatments. This may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pain medication, hot and/or cold compresses, moderate exercise, stretching, and intermittent rest. If these doctor-prescribed treatments prove ineffective, patients may be advised to seek open back or open neck surgery. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about our minimally invasive procedures and to receive a free MRI or CT scan review. Utilizing state-of-the-art endoscopic technology, our outpatient procedures are safe and effective, and can help you rediscover your life without back or neck pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.