Understanding Osteoarthritis 
Osteoarthritis is a set of conditions and disorders that culminates into degeneration and dysfunction of the joints. It is the most common of all joint diseases and a major cause of morbidity and disability, especially among the elderly population.
Osteoarthritis threatens the structure and functionality of the joints, creating inflammation, limited mobility, pain, and osteophytes. Although it primarily affects the articular cartilage, osteoarthritis affects all parts of the joint including the subchondral bone and synovium.
Osteoarthritis is categorized as either secondary or primary:
- Secondary osteoarthritis refers to degeneration of the synovial joints caused by a prior or predisposing condition that adversely affects the joint structure, often trauma.
- Primary osteoarthritis does not require an initiating event and is the type that occurs due to the aging process. Osteoarthritis of the spine most often falls into this class.
In osteoarthritis of the spine, the cartilage between vertebrae is worn down. With the loss of articular cartilage, the facet joint frictional forces increase and create pain in the facet joint. As the process continues, the facet joint can become incompetent leading to joint instability (degenerative spondylolisthesis), or alternatively the spine can stiffen up with time and the patient loses mobility in the spine.
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