Osteoarthritis in our body is no longer explained merely as a mechanical phenomenon of articular cartilage wear. Modern medicine understands this condition as a chronic disease involving deeply complex biochemical, inflammatory, and neurological processes. Beyond simple cartilage breakdown, it involves a widespread process where all tissues surrounding the joint—namely bone, synovial membrane, ligament, muscle, and even the nervous system—undergo damage and structural change together.
Taking a closer look at the mechanism of pain reveals that, as osteoarthritis progresses, various inflammatory substances such as proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins are secreted within the joint. These substances stimulate nerve endings around the joint to send pain signals to the brain. Furthermore, the chronic inflammatory response impairs the function of chondrocytes to accelerate cartilage destruction, and induces microfractures and sclerosis of the subchondral bone, creating a vicious cycle that further aggravates inflammation and pain.
Recent studies reveal that neurological changes also play an important role in making osteoarthritis pain chronic. Chronic pain stimuli can sensitize pain-processing pathways in the spinal cord and brain, leading to central sensitization, where severe pain is felt even from subtle stimuli that previously did not trigger pain. It is as if the pain alarm system has become excessively sensitive, overreacting to minor inputs. In addition, when joint pain reduces movement, the surrounding muscles weaken, compromising joint stability and further worsening pain.
Just as Donguibogam highlighted kidney qi deficiency, modern medicine points to systemic metabolic imbalance as a major risk factor for osteoarthritis. For instance, obesity not only increases the physical load on the joints, but various inflammatory substances secreted by adipose tissue can also promote joint inflammation and worsen the disease. Furthermore, metabolic diseases such as diabetes impair blood circulation and diminish tissue recovery capacity, negatively affecting joint health. In other words, modern medicine recognizes that rather than joint issues acting in isolation, the overall health state of the whole body—including hormonal balance, inflammatory status, and blood circulation—acts in combination to influence the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. This aligns closely with the wisdom of Donguibogam, which emphasizes that we must care for the body’s overall health system, akin to its roots, rather than focusing solely on cartilage. 💖
