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It is both a wear and tear of a joint along with the accompanying inflammatory changes that occur to the biochemistry within the joint. It can occur from a variety of causes, from trauma (both major and recurrent low level trauma), poor biomechanics including pelvic tilt, and conditions of joint laxity such as hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.
Almost any joint can be affected but the most common areas are of the knees, hips and spine.
If a person has poor biomechanics or a pelvic tilt, abnormal, increased, and uneven pressures are placed across the joint leading to wear and tear.
It can and this may more commonly be a result of trauma and also patients with significant hypermobility.
Bone spurs are formed as part of the degenerative condition. They can restrict joint movement and sometimes can cause pain by pinching the joint or tendon.
Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear condition whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints.
In general it is not fully understood why, but women are more predisposed to autoimmune diseases.
They can start at many ages as there is a condition called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis that can affect younger children.
Instead of fighting viruses, bacteria and cancer, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.
There are a number of bacterial infections that are being investigated as causative in RA. Several different types of bacteria have been found in joints of patients with RA.
It is an autoimmune disease that attacks the spine.
Typically patients will experience lower back stiffness.
With osteoarthritis joint stiffness may improve with stretching and activity whereas AS patients may experience more constant stiffness.
This is unclear but there are two different theories on how the immune system can be changed and also abnormal proteins can be formed.
Traditional methods include the use of anti-rheumatic medications however doing everything you can do to keep your inflammation low and keep your immune system healthy can help. There are also supplements and alternative medications like low dose naltrexone (LDN) that may also be helpful in modifying the immune system.
Ready to Get Relief From Your Arthritis Symptoms?
Click below to book your appointment and explore treatment options with Dr. Greenberg. Our office is conveniently located just outside of Philadelphia in Bryn Mawr, PA.