Having healthy joints can make all the difference to your enjoying a life filled with physical activity. Unfortunately, many Americans are bothered by joint pain and stiffness, which may indicate a more serious problem such as degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis). But are there warning signs for degenerative joint disease? Let’s take a look.
What is degenerative joint disease?
Degenerative joint disease occurs because of the loss of articular cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is thick, rubbery tissue that can be found at the end of the bone where the joints form. It acts as a shock absorber, and also allows the bones to glide easily over each other. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but is common in the knees, hands, hips, and lower back.
Warning signs of degenerative joint disease
If the cartilage wears away and the bones no longer have a protective cover, there will be excess friction in the joints. Persistent pain and swelling in the joints are the most common warning signs of degenerative joint disease. The swelling is usually the result of bone spurs that develop at the area where there has been cartilage loss. Other signs include:
- Stiffness – Many people find that their joints become stiff if they sit for long periods.
- Clicking sound – This sound occurs when the bones rub against each other as the joint moves.
- Reduced motion – The deterioration of the cartilage limits the distance as well as the direction in which a joint can move.
Although over-the-counter medication is a popular treatment option for osteoarthritis, there are therapeutic devices from Posture Pump Inc that can also ease the pain.
Posture Pump products are specially designed to relieve pain in the neck and back, and are doctor-recommended for degenerative joint disease. Visit www.posturepump.com to find out more.