Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, is a condition that describes the gradual deterioration of the cartilage inside joints, which typically helps the bones glide against each other. However, when the cartilage breakdown, bone-on-bone contact occurs and bone spurs develop to compensate for the loss of cartilage.

As a result, movement is typically restricted and pain develops, as these are joints that bear weight and function. Activities such as bending, lifting or twisting as well as going about your daily routine can lead to debilitating back pain. If you are suffering from degenerative joint disease and are looking for a way to regain your quality of life from this debilitating condition, read the following article.

Progression of degenerative joint disease

Degenerative joint disease doesn’t spread to other parts of the body. However, it is often common to have more than one affected joint based on your daily routine. The likelihood of degenerative joint disease developing in other areas of the body typically depends on how active your lifestyle is and how much wear that particular joint experiences throughout the years. Therefore, if you believe that you are suffering from this condition, it is important to contact your doctor, as each case of degenerative joint disease affects people differently.

Conservative degenerative joint disease treatment

Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will develop a treatment regimen that best fits your needs. This may include pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to try to combat inflammation as well as muscle relaxants to help ease chronic pain.

Further conservative measures may include:

• Range of motion exercises
• Physical therapy
• Strengthening exercises
• Heat massage
• Cortisone injections
• Ultrasound

However, if several weeks or months of conservative therapy do not prove successful in easing your degenerative joint disease symptoms, then surgery may become an option to relieve your condition.

Minimally invasive degenerative joint disease surgery

If you require surgical intervention to treat your degenerative joint disease, we know how overwhelming taking this step could be. At USA Spine Care, we want you to know that you are not alone in this decision. Our dedicated team is here to help you make an educated choice on the best course of treatment for your individual condition.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. Through a no-cost MRI review* of your spine, we will be able to help determine your best surgical option to relieve your degenerative joint disease. Contact us if you have any questions about your condition or the procedures we offer at our state-of-the-art facilities.

At USA Spine Care, our minimally invasive spine surgery offers a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ If you are a candidate for one of our procedures, our highly skilled surgeons are able to use a small incision that is muscle-sparing in order to replace the disc and provide you with long-lasting relief from degenerative joint disease pain.

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