Arthritis is often assumed to be just one chronic condition. It’s actually an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that cause damage and inflammation to the joints. More than 50 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with arthritis; degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis (OA), is the most common. More than 30 million U.S. adults experience osteoarthritis symptoms. 

Degenerative arthritis may be prevalent across the country, but not everyone is aware of the ins and outs of the condition. By learning about the details of the common condition, you can become more aware of the signs and the steps you can take to alleviate any issues that come from it.

We’ll start off by talking about the basics of degenerative arthritis, such as locations and causes. Then we’ll dive into symptoms and the treatments that can address them. 

Where you may develop degenerative arthritis 

Degenerative arthritis means that the cartilage and tissue surrounding the body’s joints are gradually breaking down over time, leading the bones to rub against each other. 

While degenerative arthritis can develop in nearly any area of the body, it’s most common in the:

• Hips
• Knees
• Hands 
• Spine (also known as degenerative disc disease) 

It’s also important to note that degenerative arthritis can spread from its original development site, as it’s a progressive disease. This is known as migratory arthritis. The symptoms can spread from one joint to the next due to the continuous damage of the joint tissue.

Potential risk factors of degenerative arthritis

Degenerative disease is commonly referred to as a “wear-and-tear” condition, as it’s often the result of gradual deterioration or changes to the connective tissue that develop with time. However, a lot of different risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing degenerative arthritis. By learning about factors that contribute to the condition, you may be able to take preventive measures if you’re at high risk.

Degenerative arthritis risk factors:

• Age — Osteoarthritis has a typical onset age of late 40s to early 50s. It’s also more common in women than in men, especially after the age of 50. Approximately 73% of people living with the condition are older than 55.
• Obesity — Being overweight or obese can increase the likelihood of developing degenerative arthritis due to the excessive strain on the joints during movement. It’s more of a risk for weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.
• Overuse — Gradual deterioration can come from overusing the joints due to repetitive movements. For example, degenerative arthritis may develop in the hands of someone who has spent years working at a job that requires extensive typing. It’s also possible for athletes to overuse their joints from repetitive motions, such as swinging a tennis racket.
• Family history — While you can’t inherit degenerative arthritis, a predisposition for the disease may be passed down through generations. That means that if there are people in your family tree who are at risk of developing the disease, then you may be at risk as well.

Symptoms of degenerative arthritis 

The symptoms of degenerative arthritis can vary in severity as well as the location that the arthritis has developed. Here are some of the most common symptoms of degenerative arthritis:

• Joint pain — The most prevalent symptom is pain in the joint. It can be a constant ache, or it may come and go. The pain is usually the worst during movement.
• Stiffness — Degenerative arthritis causes stiffness because, as the cartilage breaks down, it can be more difficult for the joint to move smoothly. This can lead to a reduced range of motion. The stiffness will often flare up during inactivity or extensive periods of rest, such as waking up in the morning.
• Swelling — You may have swelling in or around the affected joint, leading to the area feeling sore or tender. The swelling tends to occur after the joint has been moved around a lot. 

If you start to recognize these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can run imaging tests and complete a physical exam for a potential diagnosis.

How to treat degenerative arthritis 

While degenerative arthritis is chronic, and can’t be cured, there are ways to manage the symptoms. With the right treatment options, you can reduce the impact of the symptoms on your overall quality of life.

There are several treatment options for degenerative arthritis. While some can be done at home, others will require the assistance or guidance of a health care professional, such as a physician or physical therapist.

Here are treatment options for degenerative arthritis symptoms: 

• Medication — If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening degenerative arthritis symptoms, ask your doctor about taking medication to manage them on a day-to-day basis. Common medications used to help people living with arthritis include over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen sodium. 
• Steroids — On top of oral medication, a doctor may recommend an injection of corticosteroids for people who are experiencing severe degenerative arthritis pain. It’s an anti-inflammatory medication that works to reduce inflammation, which is the root cause of joint pain.
• Supportive devices — The stiffness and reduced range of motion from degenerative arthritis can impact your joint mobility. Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend that you wear a brace or splint to reduce unnecessary movement that can exacerbate the symptoms. If your arthritis is in your knee, hips or spine, shoe inserts can also help reduce the pain with support as you walk for better alignment.
• Strengthening and stretching exercises — One of the best courses of action for addressing arthritis of any kind is performing effective exercises. A physical therapist can guide you through safe exercises that boost the strength in the muscles surrounding your joint for increased support. They will also show you stretches that can increase range of motion and reduce the pressure placed on the joint.
• Joint mobilization — Sometimes, being as hands on as possible with arthritis treatment is the way to go. A physical therapist may use their hands to complete a manual therapy technique called joint mobilization. It involves moving the affected joint gently in repetitive movements to loosen up painful tissue.
• Aquatic therapy — It’s possible that exercises with degenerative arthritis can be too painful to complete on land. That’s why many physical therapy patients with arthritis benefit from aquatic therapy. The buoyancy enables you to complete movements without risk of injury while strengthening the muscles against the water.

Lattimore PT can help you address and treat degenerative arthritis 

If you’re diagnosed with degenerative arthritis, you may just assume that you’ll have to grin through the pain for the rest of your life. But with the right treatments and guidance from a physical therapist, you can live a fulfilling, active life in spite of your symptoms.

At Lattimore PT, we treat arthritis pain in a variety of ways. However, we don’t use a copy-and-paste method. We will evaluate your symptoms as well as assess your joint strength, flexibility, mobility and overall function. We’ll design a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your symptoms, physical abilities and goals.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.