In Chinese medicine, osteoarthritis falls under the category of Bi Syndrome. Even that limited option is less viable as more and more painkillers turn out to have serious side effects. In the past, one was simply advised to take painkillers. Our culture seems to view arthritis as a normal part of the aging process. In severe cases, the joint looks deformed and swollen. This can lead to the formation of sharp projections or spurs of bone (“bone spurs”), which can cause further pain and restricted range of motion. Inflammation and swelling also block normal circulation to bones and cartilage, and cause calcium and other minerals to be deposited in the injured area. If not treated properly, inflammation can become chronic, and normal tissue may be replaced with thick fibrous tissue. This creates inflammation and swelling inside the joint. For example, arthritis of the spine is often the result of incorrect posture, combined with compressive forces that damage inter-vertebral discs.Īs the cartilage wears down, the surfaces of the bones no longer move smoothly in relation to each other. Cartilage can be damaged by a single injury, or through chronic misuse or overloading of a joint in training and competition. Osteoarthritis usually occurs when the cartilage is torn, or becomes worn, causing the articular surfaces of the bones to rub. The menisci act as shock absorbers against compressive forces, and like washers, add to the stability of the joint by creating a tighter fit. In joints like the knee, the cartilage, called the menisci, pad the projections (condyles) of the femur where they fit into corresponding grooves in the tibia (the shinbone). It allows the surfaces of the bones to slide smoothly without rubbing or grinding. However, when most of us use the term arthritis, we mean osteoarthritis, a degenerative process that often begins in the cartilage, which covers the articular surfaces of the bones.Ĭartilage is the thick, fibrous tissue that covers the ends of the bones where they meet inside the joints.
One type of arthritis, called rheumatoid arthritis, is actually a systemic disorder associated with autoimmune dysfunction. Arthritis simply means that there is inflammation in a joint that results in pain and swelling. Although the term “arthritis” is often employed incorrectly and is frequently misdiagnosed, to most people it is synonymous with growing old and the end of serious training and competition. For the sports enthusiast or workout addict, a diagnosis of arthritis can be devastating.
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