Overview

Degenerative joint disease (DJD), also known as osteoarthritis, is a long-term condition in which the cartilage that protects the ends of bones slowly wears away. When the protective cartilage wears away, bones may rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function. Degenerative joint disease usually affects weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, and spine. However, it can also affect the shoulders and hands. The condition gets worse over time and is more common in older people. Recognizing the problem early and treating it correctly can help lessen symptoms and keep you mobile.

Symptoms
Some common symptoms include joint pain that worsens with movement and improves with rest, stiffness after prolonged inactivity, and reduced range of motion. You might feel swelling, tenderness, and a grinding or cracking feeling when you move. As the disease worsens, joints may enlarge or change shape, and pain may become constant, making it hard to do everyday things.

Causes
The main cause of degenerative joint disease is the wear and tear on joint cartilage that occurs with age. Obesity, past joint injuries, repetitive stress, bad joint alignment, and a family history of the disease are all risk factors. Weak muscles around the joints and a lack of activity may also put more stress on them. Over time, these factors accelerate cartilage breakdown and joint deterioration.

Diagnosis
To figure out what's wrong, doctors review the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam to assess pain, swelling, and joint movement. X-rays are a common way to find out if you have lost cartilage, bone spurs, or a narrowed joint space. In some cases, MRI may be used to evaluate soft tissues and early cartilage damage.

Treatment
The goal of treatment is to ease pain and improve joint function. Management includes medications to relieve pain and inflammation, physical therapy, and exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the body. Managing your weight and doing activities that don't put too much stress on your joints can help. In more serious cases, doctors may consider joint injections or joint replacement surgery.

Degenerative joint disease is a long-term condition, but its symptoms can be controlled well. Early treatment, lifestyle changes, and regular exercise all help slow the disease's progression, keep you mobile, and help you stay independent in your daily life.