Causes (hydro-mechanical problem)
The osteoarthritic process is a metabolic disorder resulting from a breakdown in the construction-destruction equilibrium (“the iron pot versus the earthen pot”). The result is micro-anarchic alterations with disorders in calcium distribution, leading to the co-occurrence of osteoporosis (rarefaction and fragilisation of the central bone mesh with risk of fractures) and osteocondensation (excessive calcification and peripheral irregularities leading to pinched disc or compression of the nerve endings with osteophytosis or “bone spurs”; e.g. sciatica) or even partial or total destruction of the cartilage (e.g. knee or hip). Osteoarthritis is a metabolic disorder of calcification which leads to hydro-mechanical lesions within the joint due to constraints on the constitutive elements (very hard calcifications rubbing against soft fragile elements: discs, cartilage, menisci, tendons, nerves, ligaments, sinovia).
Due to calcification, in the clinic we observe microbreaks in the cartilage (osteochondritis), the menisci, tendons of the shoulder by cracking or “shredding” of the (supra-spinal) tendinous fibres and also at the level of the “exposed” sciatic nerves (neurogenic lesions).
Cartilage is not irrigated or innervated, it is composed of 70% water and mineral salts and is nourished by diffusion. The inter-vertebral discs are hydrophilic (strong affinity for water). The disordered calcium distribution, leading to osteoporosis on the one hand, and peripheral osteocondensation on the other, is probably the result of peripheral micro-circulatory disorders which increase with age. The overall slowing of haemodynamics in the main arteries (physiologically up to 30%) can lead to collapse of the peripheral capillary bed. Thus, arthritic cells display poor elimination and accumulate calcium, heavy metals and other toxins due to chronic self-poisoning. The construction-destruction ratio is progressively shifted towards destruction. This reactive process has been established for all cells in the body, whatever their specialisation (nerve tissue, myocardial tissue).
Everything occurs as if the aggregation of circulating calcium was condensed in the joints leading to their progressive destruction (like limescale destroys the washers in taps or blocks coffee percolators).
The other underlying causes of osteoarthritis are also related to disfunctions, in particular of intestinal membrane permeability. Defective intestinal permeability can lead to endogenous deficiencies in the absorption of oligo-elements (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.), amino acids (for protein synthesis), and hormone production, creating a knock-on effect of neuro-endocrine disorders with repercussions in bones.
> DIAGRAMS OF LUMBAR AND KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS
> IMAGERIE OF OSTEOARTHRITIS: X-RAYS, SCANNER, MRI