I am 24 years old, and I was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease.How quickly does it progress?
I started having extreme pain in my back a few years ago, and I just recently had an MRI and they diagnosed me with degenerative joint disease. How quickly does it progress and what are the treatment options? I am scared and I want to know what to expect short term and long term. I have done some research and it seems like the only treatments are nerve blocker shots and pain pills. Is this something that can be fixed or is it a matter of pain management?
Tagged with: degenerative joint disease • extreme pain • pain management • pain pills • treatment options
Filed under: Joint Treatment
Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in your joints wears down over time. It can affect any joint in your body, though it most commonly affects joints in your hands, hips, knees and spine. Typically just one joint is affected, but in some cases, several joints are involved .
Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But treatments can relieve pain and help you remain active.
Since this disease has been diagnosed so early & at such a young age in your case, you might check into the underlying causes first. Treating those may help ease some of the pain you are experiencing.
Osteoarthritis usually affects women over 40, but a few other factors can increase your risk:
Bone deformities. Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Joint injuries. Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Obesity. Carrying more body weight places more stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees. But obesity has also been linked to an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the hands, as well.
Bone and joint diseases that increase the risk of osteoarthritis include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget’s disease of bone and septic arthritis.
_____________________
Treatment options for moderate osteoarthritis :
Continue exercising when possible and resting when you need to. If you’re overweight, continue working to lose weight.
Medications that may be useful for moderate arthritis include:
Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can relieve pain, but doesn’t reduce inflammation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Stronger versions of these NSAIDs and others are available by prescription.
Tramadol. Tramadol (Ultram) is a centrally acting analgesic that’s available by prescription.
__________________________
Treatment options for severe osteoarthritis:
If you’ve tried other treatments but are still experiencing severe pain and disability, you and your doctor can discuss other treatments including:
Stronger painkillers. Prescription pain pills, such as codeine and propoxyphene (Darvon), may provide relief from more severe osteoarthritis pain.
Cortisone shots. Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in your joint.
Surgery for osteoarthritis is generally reserved for severe osteoarthritis that isn’t relieved by other treatments. You may consider surgery if your osteoarthritis makes it very difficult to go about your daily tasks. Surgical treatments include:
Joint replacement. In joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty), your surgeon removes your damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal devices called prostheses. The hip and knee joints are the most commonly replaced joints. But today implants can replace your shoulder, elbow, finger or ankle joints.
Cleaning up the area around the joint (debridement). Your surgeon may recommend removing loose pieces of cartilage and bone from around your joint to relieve your pain.
Surgery to realign bones may also relieve pain. These types of procedures are typically used when joint replacement surgery isn’t an option, such as in younger people with osteoarthritis.
Fusing bones. Surgeons also can permanently fuse bones in a joint (arthrodesis) to increase stability and reduce pain. The fused joint can then bear weight without pain, but has no flexibility. Arthrodesis may be an option if you experience severe pain in your joint, but can’t undergo joint replacement surgery.
________________
Two of my relatives have this disease & they have had the most luck with the Cortisone shots in their back. Also taking glucosamine and chondroitin, nutritional supplements, have been very helpful in pain relief. In addition, Tai Chi & yoga are great low impact stretching exercises that can help you with flexibility. Ask your doctor for a physical therapy referral if possible.. A physical therapist can really be helpful in pain relief & in teaching stretching & other related exercises that can greatly benefit you physically.
The Arthritis Foundation offers classes for people with osteoarthritis or chronic pain. Ask your doctor about classes in your area or check with the Arthritis Foundation. These classes teach skills that help you manage your osteoarthritis pain. http://www.arthritis.org/programs.php
Hope this info has been helpful. good luck!
Here are a few helpful sites:
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/416/577/main.html#DefinitionofDegenerativeJointDisease
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020301/841.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019/DSECTION=1
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_medications_used_osteoarthritis_000035_9.htm
Here’s an additional link to any clinical trials being held nationwide concerning osteoarthritis:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond="Osteoarthritis"
Talk with your doctor to see if any current trials would benefit you.
I am not sure that there is much that can be done about it, but thanks for reminding me, I may mention to my son that you might be able to get some shots and he might be able to that would be good hugh, it is a series of shots that stop the pain some how?