In fact, the the name is not really accurate. The suffix '-itis' suggests that the joint is inflamed which is not, in fact, the case. So rather than labelling it as an inflammatory condition, it is better to think of it as a "degenerative joint disease" (DJD)

Signs that a joint has degenerated include a rough grinding sound and feel to it on movement (known as crepitus), along with stiffness, pain, and deformity. The stiffness is often worse in the mornings, but then improves through the day if the joint is moved.

Osteoarthritis can be classified as either primary or secondary. Primary means there is no known cause for it - it just gradually develops by itself over time. On the other hand, 'secondary' means the osteoarthritis is secondary to (or caused by) some trauma or other disease process.

What the real cause of primary osteoarthritis is is still a mystery. Some experts believe that it is related to dysfunction in the normal movement of the joint - either too much or too little.

Too much motion of the joint (aberrant motion) occurs with the ligaments around the joint, including the joint capsule, becoming overstretched. This can result from things such as poor posture or chronic stretching of the joint, such as when someone "pops" their knuckles repetitively.

This then causes excessive wear on the cartilage, rather like having a loose wheel on a vehicle. The cartilage gradually wears down, and develops a rough surface, which is what then causes that grinding sound (crepitus). Since the cartilage serves as a shock absorber for the joint, its gradual destruction means less protection for the joint, and so more damage occurs.

On the other hand, too little joint movement can be just as bad. The joint has no direct blood supply, so all nutrition has to be transported across the joint capsule, a process that relies on joint movement. So too little movement may result in poor nutrition actually inside the joint.

Since lack of movement can prevent adequate nutrition at the joint face, most health care professionals recommend that you DON'T rest immobilize your joints (eg in traction) for extended periods of time unless absolutely necessary.

This essentially leads us to the conclusion that the best practice to help decrease the risk of degenerative joint disease is to maintain proper joint motion to the best of our abilities. This entails having proper treatment of injuries with a health-care professional and following an adequate stretching routine.

Proper exercise strengthens the muscles that support the joint, and so prevent aberrant motion. Stretching those muscles and, if necessary, getting the joint adjusted by a chiropractor, helps to maintain the motion that allows for proper transfer of nutrients and waste products inside the joint.

Although these steps may not eliminate the risk of degenerative joint disease, they will help to either delay its onset or slow the progression of the disease process.