Joint Care

Joint Care

Author: Dr. Harish K. Verma

Osteoarthritis is the most common condition, affecting the weight bearing joints (e.g. knees, lower back, hips, etc.), often described as "wear and tear" arthritis.

In human body the ends of the bones in normal joints are covered with a smooth, slippery tissue called cartilage, which provides protection to our bones. Joints also contain a fluid called synovial fluid, which acts as a cushion or "shock absorber" and lubricates the joint.

In people with osteoarthritis, the synovial fluid becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. The thinner synovial fluid does not provide a good cushion. For this reason, the cartilage covering the ends of the bones begins to break, which leads to pain and stiffness in the joint.

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disorder, because of degeneration of cartilage covering the ends of the bones.

In Ayurveda this condition is called as Sandhighat Vata.

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