Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, a disease that affects the synovial joints in the body. Synovial joints are the fluid-filled joints found throughout the body, which can be found in the spine, shoulders, hips, elbows, wrists, fingers, toes, ankles… the list goes on. The tissues in and around the joint degenerate over time which leads to decreased function and stability, and sometimes increased pain. 

You are more likely to develop OA in joints that you have injured, which is why it is so important to deal properly with your injuries when they occur. This is especially so for your spine!

Signs and symptoms include pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, swelling, popping or clicking, and features of instability including ‘giving way’ of joints. The muscles around the joints also become weak, providing less support to the joint, which can lead to further degeneration over time.