The Causes of Osteoarthritis

Your bones are cushioned by cartilage, which acts as a sort of shock absorber and padding of protection. The cartilage is encased in a small area that leaves room for flexibility and elasticity when you move.

The area is protected by a synovial lining and is filled with a thick fluid, which takes on the role of lubricant for your bones. When the synovial fluid breaks down, the cartilage suffers a degenerative effect.

When that cartilage starts to fray, bits of it may break off and irritate the soft tissues such as muscles or tendons. As the cartilage wears down, the bones begin to rub against each other, sometimes causing crippling pain. This is known medically as osteoarthritis.

The exact cause of this wear and tear is unknown. What researchers do know is that it worsens with age and in some cases, seems to be a genetic disability. Scientists have found some families that pass along damaged cartilage or a slight defect in the way the joints fit together.

Because osteoarthritis is a wear and tear problem, excess weight can contribute to its development. When your body is carrying extra weight, the joints have a tougher time supporting you because it puts a strain on certain parts of your body, such as your knees and hips.

If weight is causing your osteoarthritis, then we have some good news for you! Research has shown that patients who lose as little as 11 pounds can reduce the effect the disease has on their knees.

Not everyone who develops osteoarthritis will have a weight problem, however. Many sufferers simply developed the disease when a sports injury or work-related injury set the wheels in motion for cartilage breakdown and consequent osteoarthritis. Many scientists believe that developing osteoarthritis (even a mild form) is simply a fact of life.

If you initially suffer a work or sports-related injury, make sure you allow your body to repair itself fully before returning to that activity again. Some people who suffer from osteoarthritis do so because they repeatedly participate in movements that contribute to the disease’s effect on their body.

Some patients who have been diagnosed with another form of arthritis find they also develop osteoarthritis in addition to their other disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis, for example, can commonly lead to osteoarthritis because the joints are already damaged. Glucosamine will not help with rheumatoid arthritis alone but many people report success with glucosamine's joint health promoting effects if they also suffer from osteoarthritis.

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