Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by degenerative lesions to the articular cartilage. Depending on the site affected, we can talk about knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, wrist osteoarthritis, and so on. In the specific case of cervical osteoarthritis, the disease damages the cartilage that covers and protects the bony ends involved in the joints between the vertebrae in the neck. Over time, cartilage degeneration involves the entire joint (including the articular surfaces and discs interposed between vertebrae), causing localized pain and limitation of movement that progressively worsens.
Lumbago: a psychosomatic symptom?
Talking about psychological factors causing back pain or contributing to its maintenance does not mean that the symptoms are imaginary-they are very real physical problems caused by psychological distress.
