OK granted inflammation can accompany osteoarthritis, but it’s not the aetiology. The cause of OA is the mechanical destruction of articular carltilage, which results in joint stiffness and a loss of the joint’s capactity for shock-absorbtion (hence more force is recieved at the bone surface).
The medical community tends to label every musculosketal pathology as an inflammatory condition. Yet, the primary tissue involved (cartilage) does not even contain blood vessels, so it cannot become inflammed. Yes inflammation of the synovium and other structures may occur secondarily to joint degeneration, but that’s not a characteristic of the OA disease itself.
[quote]vroom wrote:
huslinbriks wrote:
VROOM, that’s rheumatism… totally different condition. Osteoarthritis is not an inflammatory disease
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/oa/oa_overview.asp
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There are several stages of osteoarthritis:
Cartilage loses elasticity and is more easily damaged by injury or use.
Wear of cartilage causes changes to underlying bone. The bone thickens and cysts may occur under the cartilage. Bony growths, called spurs or osteophytes, develop near the end of the bone at the affected joint.
Bits of bone or cartilage float loosely in the joint space.
The joint lining, or the synovium, becomes inflamed due to cartilage breakdown causing cytokines (inflammation proteins) and enzymes that damage cartilage further.
Changes in the cartilage and bones of the joint can lead to pain, stiffness and use limitations. Deterioration of cartilage can:
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Affect the shape and makeup of the joint so it doesn?t function smoothly. This can mean that you limp when you walk or have trouble going up and down stairs.
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Cause fragments of bone and cartilage to float in joint fluid causing irritation and pain.
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Cause bony spurs, called osteophytes, to develop near the ends of bones
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Mean the joint fluid doesn?t have enough hyaluronan, which affects the joint?s ability to absorb shock.
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Result in inflammation.
Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees and lower back. It also affects the neck, small finger joints, the base of the thumb and the big toe. OA rarely affects other joints except when injury or stress is involved.
It is important that you take an active role in the treatment of your OA and in prevention of additional joint damage.
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Inflammatory processes plays a key role in many diseases. While it may not be part of the onset, it seems to be involved afterwards.
http://www.arthritis.ca/types%20of%20arthritis/osteoarthritis/default.asp?s=1
Osteoarthritis is classified as non-inflammatory arthritis. This suggests that there is no inflammation (swelling), but recent research shows that this is not true. Although there is usually no swelling in the early stage of the disease, as the arthritis progresses there can be inflammation. Bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the joint. This disturbs other soft tissues inside the joint and can cause pain and swelling between bones. The result is you may have trouble moving the joint.[/quote]