Polyosteoarthritis
Polyosteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage in three or more different joint areas wears away, causing pain, stiffness, and bone rubbing.
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Polyosteoarthritis is a widespread form of osteoarthritis that affects multiple joints throughout your body at the same time. While regular osteoarthritis might only bother one knee, this condition involves a more systemic pattern where several different areas—commonly the hands, hips, knees, and spine—begin to break down together.
Your joints are cushioned by cartilage, which is a smooth, rubbery tissue that acts as a shock absorber. In this condition, that cartilage slowly wears thin. When the cartilage thins out, your bones can rub against each other, which causes swelling, stiffness, and pain. It is essentially a process of the joint structure aging and losing its ability to glide smoothly.
Common Symptoms
- Morning stiffness that lasts for less than 30 minutes before your joints loosen up.
- Bony enlargements or hard, knotty bumps appearing on the small joints of your fingers.
- A grinding or clicking sensation, known as crepitus, when you move a joint.
- Deep, aching pain that usually feels worse after using the joint and gets better with rest.
- Reduced range of motion, making it harder to bend or straighten your fingers, knees, or back.