What is Arthritis?

A better question to ask is, "What is inflammation?" Medical terms that end with "-itis" mean inflammation, which many assert is a negative reaction of the body to injury or disease. The common recommendation of anti-inflammatory medication for normal wear and tear of our bodies suggests that this must be a rational approach to managing pain and injury. After all, uncontrolled inflammation can result in joint injury, such as in Rheumatoid Arthritis and other rheumatologic disease.

However, a more thorough exploration of pain and injury suggests quite the opposite in most cases. Inflammation is the process by which we heal our injuries, fight infection, and destroy tumors before they can grow and cause disease and death. Inflammation is a necessary mechanism promoting good health and function. Injured ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, and internal structures require inflammation to repair themselves. Blocking inflammation with medications may in many respects be exactly the wrong approach that our bodies need. Stimulation of a normal, guided healing response is more likely to result in a natural healing of the injuries that cause us pain and lead to dysfunction.

Which now leads us back to "arthritis". Arthritis is represented by such processes as bone spurs, narrowing of cartilage, joint, laxity, poor quality and excessive volume of joint fluid, and joint pain. Injury to a joint may lead to acceleration of stress-related damage to the structures that hold the joint together, and that space the joint surfaces apart. Many accept that these are "normal aging", and therefore of minimal consequence. Many assume that "there's nothing you can do about it". If it is assumed that these processes are inevitable, why bother considering options for resolution of arthritis?

We must change our assumptions. Arthritis is not inevitable, it can be modified and improved, and the changes that we see on X-Ray are to some extent reversible. Regenerative Medicine techniques for many years have demonstrated improved joint function, better range of motion, improved cartilage quality, healing of torn meniscus tissue, reduction of bone spurs, improved joint fluid quality and volume, strengthening of supportive ligaments, and strengthening of tendon attachments. In short, arthritis can be substantially improved, resulting in better quality of life and improved mobility and function.

Advanced techniques including Prolotherapy, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Stem Cell therapy are already showing the benefits that many assume are not possible. Although surgery, including joint replacement, may be at times necessary, the growing literature is clearly telling us that regeneration of damaged tissue is not a future dream, it is already available, and it has been available to some extent for over 50 years. Advancements in Stem Cell technology, growth factors, injection-guidance techniques, and joint stabilization will continue for the next century. Undoubtedly, we will develop even better techniques to repair connective tissue with minimally-invasive technologies, but we can do much now to resolve pain and suffering.