Arthritis Joint Pain
Arthritis joint pain can occur almost anywhere in the body when anatomical changes enacted by osteoarthritis are severe.
Arthritis in the spine
is a condition that mostly affects the areas where bones meet, called joints. These joints are normally protected by cartilage and enclosed in a capsule of synovial fluid. These help to insure that the joint functions smoothly and without friction. Arthritis is a condition that attacks and breaks down these protective tissues. The effect of arthritis is increased bone on bone friction and the possible formation of
osteophytes,
also called
bone spurs.
This article will focus on the changes that arthritis can make inside joint capsules and why these alterations may become painful over time.
Arthritis Joint Pain Locations
Vertebral arthritis is very common, since the spine is an area that has a huge number of joints. The
vertebrae
are normally held apart by the
intervertebral discs.
As people age, the discs flatten, the protective cartilage is worn away and the spinal
facet joints
suffer degeneration. This spinal degeneration is normally not severely painful, although some minor aches and pains are not uncommon.
Acute
or severe
chronic pain
are not characteristic of common spinal arthritis.Other areas affected by arthritis joint pain include the hips, knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, elbows and feet. Most people will experience moderate arthritis in at least one of these target areas. These locations are the areas that have been used extensively during a person’s life. The more frequently a joint is used, the greater the chance that arthritis will affect it. People with
repetitive motion
jobs are at an increased risk for potentially painful arthritis earlier in life.
Work related
degeneration is certainly one of the main reasons for serious arthritis pain. However, even severe joint degeneration can be completely asymptomatic. Arthritis does not inherently cause pain or any other symptoms.
Arthritis Joint Pain Nocebo
Doctors love to diagnose arthritis. Doctors love to treat arthritis. Doctors CAN NOT cure arthritis, This means that the patient will be dependent upon ongoing care and
symptomatic treatment.
As I have said so many times before, I can hear those cash registers ringing… CHA CHING! The medical
back pain industry
thrives using its current agenda of
back pain treatments.
The way a diagnosis is presented to the patient is crucial. If the doctor takes time to explain that arthritis is a completely normal part of the aging process, the patient will be reassured. The patient needs to know that they are unlikely to have serious pain or
disability
due to their arthritis pain. Many doctors DO take the time, but unfortunately, many do not…Some patients are presented with a diagnosis that seems to signal their impending doom.
Degenerative joint disease
is a common name for arthritis and this name can scare a patient into a downward spiral of pain and suffering. The
nocebo effect
has been demonstrated time and time again and has become a huge perpetuator of common back and neck pain worldwide.
Recommendation on Arthritis Joint Pain
When it comes to arthritis, it is important to know the facts. Yes, there are some people who have pain. Yes, some of the pain is severe. However, most people do not have any pain. Out of the ones who have pain, some may be due to the nocebo effect of the condition or some other
psychosomatic
process. When you look at the statistics with this point of view, it is easy to lose all fear for this common condition. Arthritis… powerful foe or innocent
scapegoat?
It will often depend on the attitude of the patient and the bedside manner of the doctor. Of course, certain definitive arthritis-related diagnoses do exist, such as symptomatic central spinal stenosis. In these cases, the arthritis itself might not be such a big deal, but where it chose to form obviously is… Arthritic debris inside the spinal canal can mean big problems which may require professional care and even surgical intervention. Luckily, this is not the result of the arthritic processes for most of us… Remember that a narrowed spinal canal is normal as we age and not likely to cause any pain or neurological effects unless the integrity of the spinal nerves or spinal cord is directly affected.
Arthritis Joint Pain to Back Pain
12/17/06 Revised 12/11/11
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