Not normally Gout tends to attack the extremity's like toes and fingers.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by cartilage softening between bones at joints.

No but it can be exacerbated as a result of the industry one is engaged in. Osteoarthritis can also appear as the result of injury's brought about by industrial processes A person starts out with the build up that has within it the possibility of OA while some may sustain an injury to the joints and heal up never to be bothered by it Others may develop OA and find that the problem is exacerbated by the weakness or disease.

Osteoarthritis is the result of damage done to cartilage to a point where the bones in joints are rubbing on each other. Cartilage has no nerves in it and so long as this smooth layer exists between the bones there is no pain. However as soon as this is gone the bone feels it and you experience pain. When the cartilage and surrounding tissue is eroded to a point where the bone touches in joints the result is the same as osteoarthritis when seen on Xray. So it is imperative that inflammation be kept under control in the case of any inflammatory disease.

Articular cartilage, is responsible for the low friction and painless, articulation of synovial joints. Articular cartilage consists of a sparse distribution of highly specialized cells known as chondrocytes. These are are embedded in a matrix to provide articular cartilage withwonderful mechanical properties. Chondrocytes make up the tissue matrix macromolecular framework from three classes of molecules known as collagens, proteoglycans, and noncollagenous proteins. The Chondrocytes protect the cells from being damaged as a result of normal joint use, they determine the types and concentrations of molecules reaching the cells, acts as a mechanical signal transducer for the cells, and helps maintain the chondrocyte phenotype. Articular cartilage undergoes internal remodeling Throughout life as cells replace matrix macromolecules lost as a result of degradation. Aging decreases the ability of chondrocytes become less able to maintain and restore articular cartilage leading to an increase in the risk of degeneration of the articular cartilage surface. Progressive degeneration of articular cartilage leads to joint pain and dysfunction. This situation is clinically identified as osteoarthritis. Investigation regarding the pathogenesis of post traumatic osteoarthritis, the form of osteoarthritis that develops following joint injury, is helping to explain the development and progression of joint degeneration.

Yes. although lidocaine patches are pricey and a little dangerous, and the pain relief is short lived. This is a transderm patch, so most people -- doctors too - don't think about how the lidocaine is delivered. The closer to the heart, the greater the chance of cardio-effects. The back, knees, elbows -- all great. but do keep in mind it does a significant lidocaine load, which can slow the heart. If you use lidocaine patches, make certain to read the precautions on the box. One last thought -- if you have kids or pets around, be CAREFUL how you disposed of the used patches. They're dangerous to leave lying around.

What is Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most wide spread types of arthritis and is found most often to stast developing after the age of 45. I may also form as the result of a jury to a joint. Men and women are affected equally by this condition.AO causes the breakdown of the cartilage between the joints. Cartilage is the material that covers the end of the bone at the joints to ensure smooth and effortless movement. In OA, this cartilage breaks down.OA usually occurs in the fingers and weight-bearing joints; these include, knees, feet, hips and back.

Osteoarthritis is the result of changes in the cells of the cartilage resulting in a loss of elasticity. Over time this causes the cartilage to thin out and in some situation breakdown all together. This leaves the ends of the bone without its smooth covering, and the joint loses its easy mobility..

OA progresses slowly. For many people the symptoms will be mild and have little impact. OA rarely causes severe disability, but when it does surgery to replace joints is often highly effective.

Symptoms of OA vary. Most individuals remain essentially free of symptoms until the cartilage ceases to function properly. After that they may include, Pain, Swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint or joints.

To diagnose RA Your doctor will first assess your situation by checking the affected joints for outward signs of inflammation heat etc. then if he deems it necessary may order tests such as X-ray and blood tests joint fluid tests to exclude the possibility of other types of arthritis.The management of this condition depends on the joints affected and the physique of the patient. And includes, Exercise, Education, Medication, Joint protection, and Healthy weight maintenance

Answer also: "Osteoarthritis", states the Western Journal of Medicine, "is in many ways like the weather, ubiquitous, often unnoticed, sometimes dramatic in its effects. OA concentrates its erosive influence in one or just a few joints. As cartilage is slowly eroded, bone begins to grinding against bone. This is accompanied by an outgrowths caused osteophytes. Cysts may form, and the underlying bone thickens and become deformed. Other symptoms include knobby knuckles, grating and grinding sounds that emanate from arthritic joints, and muscle spasms, along with pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. The American Journal of Medicine states: There is no evidence that a normal joint, subject to common stresses, will break down over the life of a person. Efforts to understand the exact cause of OA are "plagued by controversy" according to the British magazine The Lancet.

Some investigators propose that damage to a bone, such as micro-fractures may occur first. This, in turn may trigger bony outgrowths and cartilage deterioration. Others think that OA starts in the cartilage itself. As it degenerates and frays, they reason, stress increases on the underlying bone. Pathological changes occur as the body attempts to repair the damaged cartilage. While age doe not cause OA, the loss of joint cartilage experienced more frequently with increasing age. Other risks may include those who have an abnormality in the way their joint surfaces fit together or who have weak leg and thigh muscles, legs of unequal length, or a misalignment of the spine. Trauma to a joint caused by an accident or by an occupation in which repetitive motions overuse a joint can also set the stage for osteoarthritis. Once deterioration begins, being overweight can exacerbate OA.

Arthritis is somewhat hereditary, some forms more than others. Doctor's can perform a variety of tests to help determine whether a person is at risk for developing arthritis. It really isn't preventable.

You will need to eliminate other forms of arthritisAnd have a look at the joints concerned with x ray and or other imaging means. There are more then a hundred different forms of arthritis and making sure that you have it right is important.

osteophytic lipping is the formation of bone around or between the vertebral bodies, This can result in pressure being put on nerves that pass between them from the spinal chord. This can lead to pain tingling and numbness in other parts of the body.

Some arthritic symptoms are really the result of allergies, so for some people going to an allergy doctor and having allergies treated will make the swelling and pain disappear. Some arthritic symptoms are side effects of medication and as soon as the medication is stopped, they disappear. If you are tested for the reumatoid factor and it is positive, that is most likely a condition that will have to be treated for the rest of your life. Osteoarthritis is something that most of us get as we age as it is just the wearing out of the joints. Taking medications that keep the inflammation down will slow the process. Joint replacements help those people who have suffered a loss of cartilage.

There have been various study's done regarding the effect that diet has on arthritis pain or symptoms, Aside from it being helpful to avoid purine rich foods in the case of gouty arthritis there has been no connection found between diet and arthritis pain or symptoms.

Osteoarthritis of lumbar spine (low back) is a very common form of arthritis that is commonly called "wear and tear" arthritis since it is usually due to the kind of stressful things that happen to people as they go through life (falls, heavy and awkward lifting, prolonged standing, prolonged forward flexion, pregnancy, poor posture, etc.).

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but is especially common in the lumbar spine because so much mechanical stress is applied to this area of the spine during the course of the and by most activities.

Another term for lumbar osteoarthritis is lumbar spondylosis.

hif=ght intake of vitamin E

This usually hapens when the joint has become painful to use.