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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis ConditionThe osteo form of arthritis is most common in the spine, hips, shoulders and hands, although it can attack virtually anywhere in the body. The condition breaks down the normal protective measures in our joints, specifically the protective cartilage which surrounds the synovial capsules. This area contains fluid (synovial fluid) which helps to lubricate joints and prevent excessive friction. Arthritis is responsible for decreasing the efficiency and smoothness of the joint, leading to increased bone on bone contact. This process can wear down some areas of bone, leading to thinned out structures, or might promote bone spur growth, entailing possible painful bone on bone interactions. While these effects sound serious (and can be in rare instances), most people really do not suffer excessively from osteo type arthritis. In fact, many individuals do not have any pain at all, even with moderate arthritic changes occurring throughout their bodies…Osteoarthritis DiagnosisWhen patients are diagnosed with osteo type arthritis, it is rare for the doctor to tell them how completely normal and virtually universal the condition truly is. Some care providers make every attempt to reassure their patients that all will be ok and that their arthritis is unlikely to cause them serious health problems. However, some care givers use the opposite tactic…In these cases, the doctor uses the generally innocent arthritis as a scapegoat to blame for present or future symptoms. This will scare the patient and create the ideal circumstances for a psychosomatic back pain syndrome to begin through the power of the nocebo effect… This practice is far more common that you might think and is directly tied to the profit driven greed of some less honorable doctors in the back pain industry. Osteoarthritis AdviceArthritis comes in so many faces; it is difficult to know exactly how the condition might progress. I have seen all varieties, even within the osteo subtype. Most patients suffer minor arthritis which may cause an ache or pain occasionally, but certainly nothing to seek treatment over. Typically, these patients can be best cared for with a simple reassurance and some OTC pain medications. Less likely is the possibility that a patient might develop a particularly problematic arthritic location, which might actually cause foraminal stenosis or facet joint syndrome related back pain. Finally, a tiny number of patients become overwhelmed with advanced arthritic change which can be truly crippling. Luckily, these cases are indeed very rare and the diagnosis is usually quite certain and accurate due to the obvious anatomical changes which occur. Make sure to think positive if diagnosed with arthritis and consider that your condition is not likely to threaten your health now or in the distant future…
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