Osteoarthritis is a condition wherein your cartilage becomes stiff and loses its ability to act as a shock-absorber for your joints. Over time, this can cause your cartilage to break down, causing you great discomfort. It can happen in any joint in your body, but it usually only occurs in the hardest working joints, like your hips, knees, hands, and spine.
It is most common for osteoarthritis to be seen in people over fifty, but it can occasionally be seen in patients in their twenties. Look out for the following symptoms, which may be warning signs of osteoarthritis.
- Aches or feelings of soreness in your joints, particularly when you move them.
- Swelling around your joints.
- A pain in your joints after prolonged periods of activity.
- A pain or stiffness that comes after extended periods of rest.
- A bony enlargement in the joints of your fingers. These enlargements can be painful, but not necessarily.
You can work to avoid osteoarthritis by taking good care of your joints. Talk to our Edmonds chiropractic clinic to learn more.