- Symptoms of DJD include acute joint pain, loss of mobility, tenderness, stiffness, inflammation, creaking and occasional joint locking. The pain is worse at night. Nodes, called Heberden's nodes or Bouchard's nodes, may develop on the finger joints and further restrict mobility.
- DJD is caused by trauma resulting from acute injuries, chronic joint overuse, some metabolic diseases and some neurological disorders. The disease also has a genetic component and tends to run in families.
- A physician can diagnose DJD by clinical examination. X-rays can confirm suspicions, because the cartilage loss, bony cysts, bone density, narrowed joint spaces and bone spurs, all characteristic of DJD, are clearly demonstrated by x-rays.
- DJD treatment focuses upon alleviating pain and improving quality of life. Conservative treatment includes joint protection exercises, manual therapy and pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. Morphine may be necessary for severe pain.
- If conservative measures are inadequate, a patient may opt for joint replacement surgery. Total hip replacements and knee replacements provide symptomatic and functional improvement.
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