Commonly known as osteoarthritis, this noninflammatory, progressive disease is a frequently seen arthritic disorder commonly affecting joints of the hands and the large weight-bearing joints like knees, hips, shoulders and the spine. Due to the joint cartilage and bone destruction associated with degenerative joint disease, further complications often arise.
Inflammation and Painful Mobility
According to The Merck Manual, early onset often goes unnoticed by most patients until inflammation appears in the distal joints of the hands, often accompanied with redness and warmth. As progression occurs, so does the severity of pain and decreased mobility. This pain and tenderness becomes more frequent with both exercising and immobilizing the joint, and periods of relief appear less often. These complications are directly a result of joint irritation due to the deterioration of cartilage within the joint capsule, necessary for smooth mobility and normal range of motion.
Avascular Necrosis
Primarily seen in the upper portion of the thighbone, avascular necrosis occurs as a result of the blood supply being cut off from the cells in the bone, eventually leading to bone death and destruction. As the bone and cartilage begin to deteriorate, pain and swelling occur. Often afflicting people between the ages of 30 and 60, this disease often strikes as a result of pre-existing conditions such as degenerative joint disease.
Initially, the patient will experience slight pain in the groin region accompanied with limitations to mobility that intensifies as the bone destruction becomes more severe. Usually bilateral, patients may experience this pain radiating to the thighs or down the entire extremity. Eventually the joint mobility becomes severely restricted and pain is experienced with both motion and inactivity.
Surgery is primarily the method to treating avascular necrosis. The procedure usually involves removing the damaged section of bone. This reopens the vascular system and established blood flow to the surrounding regions, which then aides in the re-creation of new bone growth. In extreme cases, and those with advanced degenerative joint disease, entire hip or knee replacements may be the only solution.
Hemophilia
Categorized as a bleeding disorder, hemophilia is simply a prolonged time required for blood to clot. Most commonly an inherited factor affecting males, in some patients this is a direct result of joint destruction associated to a pre-diagnosed condition. This internal joint bleeding, though common, usually occurs without reason and leads to swollen, red joints.
Although this condition rarely leads to patient death, the most frequent complaint is increased joint pressure and pain. Patients suffering from this disorder usually require the replacement of clotting factors to prevent further accumulation within the joint, however, varying result have be witnessed.
References
- Essential of Skeletal Radiology; Terry R. Yochum, D.C.; 1996
- The Merck Manual; 14th Edition; 1982
