What are the causes of degenerative joint disease?
It is important to note that, although associated with old age,osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease are not simply a result of the aging process, nor are they a result of general wear and tear on joints, as some believe. These conditions almost always begin as a ligament weakness resulting from injury. Joints are composed of two bones covered with articular cartilage, which allows the joint to glide, and ligaments, which hold the two bones together. Healthy articular cartilage and ligaments enable the bones to glide evenly over one another. If the ligaments become weak, the bones will glide in an uneven manner. One area of the bone will bear additional weight on the articular cartilage when the joint is stressed. This uneven distribution of joint stress creates an even greater strain on the weakened ligament. Eventually all ligaments of the joint become lax and the joint becomes more and more unstable. As a result, articular cartilage breakdown occurs, causing a grinding or cr
