Degenerative Arthritis

Causes and Symptoms of Degenerative Arthritis

Degenerative arthritis, sometimes called (Osteo Arthritis) is the most common type of arthritis. It is estimated that over 80% of the North American population over the age 50, mostly female, have either a minor or severe form of degenerative arthritis. More than 20 million Americans are affected by this disease. The cause of degenerative arthritis is wear and tear of cartilage at the end of the bones. Then bones in the joint area start to rub against each other without the cushion of cartilage.

Degenerative arthritis is most commonly found in fingers, knees and hips. No specific causes are known, but doctors believe the wear in cartilage may be caused by obesity, heredity reasons, bad posture, repeated injury, and overuse of strength. Evolutionists think degenerative arthritis in hips and knees occur because bones in those areas have not adjusted to humans walking upright. The cartilage goes through a cycle of repair, but degenerative arthritis slows or stops this repair function causing very thin cartilage.

Symptoms of degenerative arthritis are usually pain, swelling, stiffness of joints, limitation of joint motion, and inflammation. Morning stiffness seems to be most common.

If you would like to find out more information on arthritis then go to osteo arthritis. This link contains ways to treat and prevent degenerative arthritis. Also check out the websites compiled below for more helpful resources and pictures

And be sure to check out our pages about What Is Arthritis, , , Arthritis Relief, and elsewhere on this site.