Joint Space Narrowing – Whats the Significance?
Joint Space Narrowing – What’s the Significance? In healthy joints, articular cartilage serves as the cushion within the joint, and as a shock absorber. When cartilage deteriorates or wears away, the affected joint becomes painful, stiff, and limited in its range of motion. X-rays often reveal joint space narrowing. What does this mean? Is it an important aspect of osteoarthritis?Answer: Joint Space Narrowing Means Osteoarthritis is Getting Worse Osteoarthritis is characterized by joint deterioration and loss of cartilage. When doctors assess the severity of osteoarthritis, they use imaging studies to quantify joint damage by measuring the space that exists between the bones of a joint. Narro