Hello friends, my name is Gord, and I am just one of millions of
people who suffer from degenerative
Osteoarthritis. Welcome to our site!
Since you're visiting us, chances are pretty good that you or someone
you love is suffering from the ravages of Osteoarthritis. This site is
our attempt to provide up-to-date and comprehensive information about
this devastatingly degenerative disease.
Every day of my life is wracked with pain. It takes me at least
2 hours to "unstiffen" every morning before I can stand up straight
after getting out of bed. I'm a relatively young man of 59 and
must walk with at least one cane - slowly.
Just a few weeks ago I had
major back surgery to have 4 discs in my c-spine fused. I'm still on the
mend and am hopeful that it will help alleviate some of the pain I go
through every day. I still have to have more discs fused in my lower
back in a few months. I'll keep you posted as to my progress.
My life is a regimen of pain relievers, muscle relaxants,
heating pad therapy, natural supplements and over a year long
wait to just get an appointment with a surgeon. I need 3
compressed discs replaced for starters. And I have to work very
hard to support myself and afford the medications I must take.
And it doesn't get better, nor is it curable!
I've been voraciously researching the
subject for some months and the contents of this site represent a good
portion of my findings. I've packed in dozens of articles on the
subject and links to some of the excellent resources I've discovered. I
hope you find some of the answers you're looking for. If not, just
use one of the many information request forms
contained herein to send me a quick message and I'll try to get
the answers you need. Best wishes for a pain-free 2007 ..
To help people who have Osteoarthritis, and their families and
friends. It helps you understand Osteoarthritis - how it develops,
and how to deal with it. It also puts to rest some of the myths
about this common condition.
Provide appropriate resources to sufferers and their families.
Osteoarthritis is a very common condition, affecting the joints,
often described as "wear and tear" arthritis. This can start from
our teens and gets worse as we grow older.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Amazingly it varies from person to person. If you look at two
people, who have had identical jobs and identical stresses on their
joints through their lifetimes, you could well find one with their
joints in virtually pristine condition, and the other with visibly
misshapen and painful joints which do not function normally.
Osteoarthritis is also a joint disease that mostly affects the
cartilage ... Unlike some other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis
affects only joints and not internal organs.
Osteoarthrosis and Osteoarthritis are terms which are used
virtually interchangeably.
Osteoarthrosis means a condition where the joints are affected
by degeneration.
Osteoarthritis implies the same, but the "itis" adds the
meaning that the joints are red, hot, swollen, and painful
(inflamed).
