PainCare Florida Physicians

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

PAIN CONDITION

Degenerative Joint Disease: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) encompasses several conditions, but osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common.[1] The chronic condition affects approximately 500 million people worldwide.[1] OA primarily impacts the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.[2] DJD is a progressive disease, meaning it worsens over time, and it often requires long-term management.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for joint degeneration pain is essential for effective pain management and improving your quality of life.

About Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting the cartilage cushions the ends of bones in your joints.[3] As the cartilage breaks down, bones rub against each other with every movement. Cartilage acts like a lubricating shock absorber, allowing the bones within a joint to glide smoothly and comfortably. Patients with degenerative joint disease eventually wear away the cartilage, causing pain, swelling, and decreased joint movement.[4] DJD can affect any joint, but it most commonly occurs in the knees, hips, lower back, neck, and hands.[3] As DJD progresses, joint pain and inflammation become chronic and negatively affect mobility and quality of life.[4]

Other Forms of Degenerative Joint Disease

While osteoarthritis is the most well-known form of DJD, other conditions also involve the degeneration of joint structures, including:

  • Spondylosis [5]
  • Degenerative Disc Disease [6]
  • Erosive Osteoarthritis [7]
  • Post-Traumatic Arthritis [8]

Degenerative Joint Disease Pain Symptoms

Symptoms of joint degeneration pain vary depending on the severity of the condition and joints affected.

According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms include:

  • Joint pain
  • Stiffness in the morning or after inactivity.
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Loss of flexibility or limited range of movement
  • Tenderness
  • Grinding sensation in joints
  • Bone spurs and deformed joints

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) Causes

DJD develops when the joints’ protective cartilage gradually wears down, which is why osteoarthritis is called the “wear and tear disease.”
Several factors can contribute to the onset of joint degeneration or OA:
  • Age [9]
  • Biological sex [9]
  • Metabolic conditions [9]
  • Joint injuries [10]
  • Obesity [10]
  • Overuse [10]
  • Spine abnormalities [10]
  • Rheumatoid arthritis [3]
  • Gout [3]
  • Psoriatic arthritis [3]

Pain Management Treatments

There is no cure for joint degeneration, but managing OA pain and maintaining joint function are vital goals in treating this condition. Rest and over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain and inflammation. Topical analgesics offer pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication without gastrointestinal side effects.[11] Exercise and physical therapy strengthens the surrounding muscles and helps improve mobility. Lifestyle changes like weight loss, low-impact workouts like swimming and yoga, and healthy eating help reduce symptoms and slow disease progression.[12]

Pain management interventional treatments such as steroid joint injections, nerve blocks, nucleoplasty and radiofrequency ablation target the pain at the source. Regenerative medicine like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy helps the body heal.[13] Minimally invasive procedures such as spinal stimulators and intrathecal pumps reduce pain by blocking the nerves that send pain signals to the brain.

When to Consult an Osteoarthritis Pain Care Specialist

If you’re struggling with persistent joint pain, stiffness or reduced mobility due to DJDs like osteoarthritis, it’s time to consult a pain care specialist. Over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes can help manage early symptoms, but more advanced, chronic cases can benefit from the expertise found at pain management clinics. You’ll receive comprehensive care, advanced treatment options and cutting-edge interventions like nerve blocks or regenerative therapies.
Don’t let degenerative joint disease keep you from living your life. If your pain is interfering with your daily tasks and you’re unable to manage symptoms at home, seeking professional help is essential. A comprehensive approach to pain management can provide relief, enhance mobility, and help you maintain an active and fulfilling life.
Consult your physician if your joint pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness or fever. Seek immediate medical help if you experience sudden swelling, unusual pain, joint deformity, or can’t use the joint.

Resources:

  1. Jones R. Prevalence of osteoarthritis, its causes, and prevention. Medical News Today [Internet]. Published May 22, 2023. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/prevalence-of-osteoarthritis 
  2. Osteoarthritis. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Published 2024. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/arthritis/osteoarthritis 
  3. Osteoarthritis. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published November 26, 2019. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5599-osteoarthritis 
  4. Degenerative Joint Disease. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation [Internet]. Published 2018. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from:  https://www.aapmr.org/about-physiatry/conditions-treatments/pain-neuromuscular-medicine-rehabilitation/degenerative-joint-disease 
  5. Mayo Clinic Staff. Cervical spondylosis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Published 2018. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-spondylosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370787 
  6. Degenerative Disc Disease. Arthritis Foundation [Internet] Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/degenerative-disc-disease 
  7. Roland J. Erosive Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment. Healthline [Internet]. Published July 1, 2021. Updated April 23, 2024. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from:  https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/what-is-erosive-osteoarthritis 
  8. Punzi L, Galozzi P, Luisetto R, et al. Post-traumatic arthritis: overview on pathogenic mechanisms and role of inflammation. RMD Open [Internet]. 2016;2(2):e000279. Accessed August 16, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2016-000279 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5013366/ 
  9. Mayo Clinic Staff. Osteoarthritis. Mayo Clinic. Published June 16, 2021. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925 
  10. WebMD Editorial Staff. Understanding Osteoarthritis. WebMD [Internet]. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/arthritis-facts 
  11. Bathon J. Osteoarthritis treatment information. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. Published 2016. Updated December 2011. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from:  https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-info/osteoarthritis/oa-treatments/ 
  12. Nonpharmacologic. Osteoarthritis Action Alliance [Internet]. Published 2024. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://oaaction.unc.edu/oa-module/oa-treatment/nonpharmacolgic/ 
  13. Rath L. The Future of Joint Repair. Arthritis Foundation [Internet]. Published August 10, 2023. Accessed August 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/preplanning/the-future-of-joint-repair
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