Degenerative joint disease (arthritis) is a noninfectious progressive disorder of the weightbearing joints. The normal articular joint cartilage is smooth, white, and translucent. It is composed of cartilage cells (chondrocytes) imbedded in a sponge-like matrix made of collagen, protein polysaccharides, and water. With early primary arthritis, the cartilage becomes yellow and opaque with localized areas of softening and roughening of the surfaces.
As degeneration progresses, the soft areas become cracked and worn, exposing bone under the cartilage. The bone then begins to remodel and increase in density while any remaining cartilage begins to fray. Eventually, osteophytes (spurs of new bone) covered by cartilage form at the edge of the joint. As mechanical wear increases, the cartilage needs repairing. The cartilage cells are unable to produce enough of the sponge-like matrix and therefore the damaged cartilage cannot repair itself. The cartilage has no blood supply to enhance healing.
The majority of degenerative joint disease is the result of mechanical instabilities or aging changes within the joint. This includes old age degenerative arthritis and, in younger animals, may be the result of injuries, bruises, abnormal joint configuration (i.e. hip dysplasia), or mechanical wear from anterior cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, or osteochondritis dissecans.
Video: Degenerative-Joint-Disease (Osteoarthritis of the Hip)
Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Your first sign may be a bit of discomfort and stiffness in your groin, buttock, or thigh when you wake up in the morning. The pain flares when you are active and gets better when you rest.
If you do not get treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip, the condition keeps getting worse until resting no longer relieves your pain. The hip joint gets stiff and inflamed. Bone spurs might build up at the edges of the joint.
When the cartilage wears away completely, bones rub directly against each other. This makes it very painful for you to move. You may lose the ability to rotate, flex or extend your hip. If you become less active to avoid the pain the muscles controlling your joint get weak, and you may start to limp.
About 10 million Americans reported having been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
You are more likely to get it if you have a family history of the disease.
You are also at risk if you are elderly, obese, or have an injury that puts stress on your hip cartilage.
You can develop osteoarthritis if you do not have any risk factors.
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The content on NJCSPM is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please call 732-719-8148 for an immediate consultation or 911 if it is an emergency.
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