Question
  
sirmy age 44 weight 100kg india...my joint space knee appeared reduced more than 50 percentage radiological only x ray..actulay I have no any significant problem in walking,climbing steps,standing more than 1 hour
some experts say that if joint space radiologicaly as per x ray appears reduced 75 percent you may stay life long without arthritis problem by reducing weight or changing life style with specific excercise..while some experts say that within 5 years you may have to change joint by replacement operation ..who are coorect?can person stay without much more difficulty for life long without operation even
with 75 percent reduction of knee joint space(cartilage space)?
some experts say that radiological appearance of joint space is not correct picture of possible serious joint problems.is it true?  

Answer
It is true that radiological appearance of joint space in not a correct picture of possible serious joint problems. It is not to say that it is not part of the picture. People with reduced joint space are more likely to have future arthritis problems in that joint than those have normal joint space.

An X-ray can show you the amout of space in a joint. It can not show you the amount of cartiledge or synovial fluid in that space. Some one with reduced joint space but health cartiledge in that space may live many years with out problems. Some one with damaged or little joint space may need surgery in a few years.

It is good to find this out before you have problems with your knees. This gives you time to correct the problem. Reduced joint space is almost always caused by inflammtion in the joint. As the inner joint swell the amount of space is reduced. With less joint space there is less room for the slippery synovial fluid to protect the joint and cartiledge. This is where the joint problems begin as the joint grinds away the cartiledge.

There are two supplements I recommend that can help with this. The first is omega 3 fatty acid suppliments. There have been several recent studies that have shown that omega 3 can significantly reduce inflammation over time. Most people get there omega 3 from fish oil supplements. I recomend against getting them from this type of supplement because of the amount of mercury showing up in fish. I perfer getting it from flax seed or other vegetable source. The other is cetyl myristoleate. I prefer this one but I do not think it is available in India.

I wish you good health.
God bless

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com