| Term Paper Title |
Degenerative Joint Disease |
| # of Words |
603 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) |
2.41 |
Degenerative Joint Disease
The most common of all the forms of arthritis is the Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), also called osteoarthritis. It is a chronic disease, causing deterioration of the joint cartilage and formation of reactive new bone at the margins and subchondral areas of the joints. That was the scientific definition but what actually happens in osteoarthritis is actually quite easy to understand. The breakdown of the articular cartilage, which is located at the joint, is a gradual process as a direct result of aging. Overworked joints and joints that were injured earlier in life, like with sports injuries are predisposed to this disease, as are joints with abnormalities. In osteoarthritis, when chondrocytes break down, the cartilage starts to degenerate. Osteophytes, which are bony spurs, form around the joint. At this point, fragments of the bone float around freely in the joint. The inevitable result is stiffness and inflammation.
This condition is a natural part of the body’s normal aging process as a result of wear and tear of the joints. Men are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis than women are up to the age of 45. It is explained that this is because men participate more in strenuous activities than women do in this age group. Between the ages of 45 and 55, men and women are at equal risk of getting this disease but after the age of 55, women are more at risk and age increases, the severity of the disease increases as well. The degree of disability depends on the location of the osteoarthritis. It can range from a minor decrease in mobility of the fingers to severe handicap in persons with hip, knee or spine osteoarthritis. The impact of osteoarthritis is greater in the hip, knee and spine because these are the most weight bearing areas in the body and they occur more commonly in overweight individu...Read entire document
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