Arthritis is something that we tend to think only our grandmas and grandpas get, but this is actually not the case at all. Even if you are only in your twenties you can develop arthritis.

Degenerative osteoarthritis is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of arthritis among both men and women, and which commonly affects the degenerative arthritis spine but often other areas of the body as well. Whether you have already been diagnosed with this condition or just know someone else who has been, there is some information that is going to be important for you to be aware of.

The Condition

This condition is complex, there is no doubt about that. Degenerative osteoarthritis is basically the enhanced version of the regular arthritis condition which is bad enough as it is. Degenerative osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis, and besides aging, there are other factors as well which may increase the risk of developing this condition.

That includes a repeated injury to joints, repetitive use of joints, stressing the joints, and family history so you will want to be aware of your family history and remember that this can have a major effect on whether or not you develop this disease.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis process of degenerative osteoarthritis is perhaps the most important part of all. After all, if you do not get diagnosed and start the appropriate treatment, the disease will continue to progress and get worse, until mild treatments will no longer be an option.

X-rays of affected joints can show joint damage associated with osteoarthritis and although blood tests are not used to diagnose this condition, there are other tests that are relatively quick and simple and which will be used to determine whether or not this is the condition that you are dealing with.

Degenerative osteoarthritis can be very serious but fortunately there are lots of great treatments available. Physical treatments including weight reduction, exercise and heat and ice alternating treatments are often enough, but if not there are alternative treatments and dietary supplements that may be right.

The surgical treatments that are available should only be used as a last resort, once you have tried all other treatment methods with no success. You are going to need to work this out with your doctor, because they are going to have to determine logically whether or not you are going to be a good candidate for any of these procedures.