Where has all my Cartilage Gone?

Cartilage is precious: the thin layer of tissue which cushions the ends of bones in a joint, is responsible for preventing your bones from grinding on each other. This cartilage can be compromised by a host of factors including injury, the wear and tear of age, and the more insidious auto-immune disorders which cause the body to attack its own healthy tissue. Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, there are two primary types: non-inflammatory and inflammatory.

Non-inflammatory arthritis, of which Osteoarthritis is the best known, is the type whereby years of wear and tear lead to degeneration of the cartilage and inflammation ensues. Don’t let the name fool you: inflammation is created as a byproduct of the degeneration process and can be every bit as painful as the kind produced in, “inflammatory arthritis.” This is why arthritis is thought of as a disease of the elderly, with some estimates stating that 1 in 2 Americans over the age of 65 suffer from some degree of arthritis pain. However, it is important to note that 2/3 of the total people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are between 18 and 65. 

Inflammatory arthritis, best known as rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disease in which the body turns on its own tissue. As the cartilage degenerates, painful inflammation is created by the body which limits range of movement. This is most commonly felt in the wrists, hands and fingers. 

A happy life with arthritis is attainable. We offer the kind of support you need to enact a plan for management of your arthritis symptoms including chiropractic adjustment and the pursuit of simple lifestyle changes to the diet and level of activity that will ensure you can live with and beyond your pain.

Dr. Raymond Espinosa, D.C.