Joint degeneration cycle: A novel educational model with degenerative intervertebral disc disease as an example

DISCUSSION

The aim of this model is to provide a comprehensive yet simple method for educational purposes. Many factors are involved in spinal degenerative disorders. Familiarity with all aspects of spinal degenerative diseases requires a long time and practice. This creates a need to design an educational model for preoperative patient education to maximize understanding and assure patient satisfaction. This model seems applicable in all joint degenerative disorders because they share the same common stations.

Spinal degenerative disorders arise from a multifactorial process. The musculoskeletal system and the nervous system contribute to these processes. Patient education is crucial in sustaining success in any treatment modality for spinal degenerative disorders, especially in invasive modalities.⁵ Preoperative patient education is essential in the achievement of postoperative patient satisfaction and improving patient reported outcome.⁵ In a recent systematic review, the relation between health care providers and patients represented the top predictors of positive outcome.⁶ A common language can be generated using the “joint degeneration cycle” model.

The educational model should simplify facts involved in spinal degenerative disorder without any defects in comprehensive information, which will lead to comprehensive treatment. This educational model must fill the gap between surgeon expectations and patient expectations.^7,8

The “joint degeneration cycle” model is composed of four stations. The first station is the imbalance between the forces involved in the joint function and the joint strength and it is the key point in triggering the progression of joint degeneration.² The mere presence of manifestations of joint degeneration should be enough to diagnose imbalance.

To restore the balance, focusing on losing weight or changing occupations may be unpractical and usually challenged by socioeconomic factors. Besides, weight reduction is a difficult process with unsustainable results. On the other hand, strengthening the joint through physical exercise may be more applicable. Compared to how challenging it can be to begin a weight-loss program, beginning a physical activity can be challenging. However, physical activity promotes habits and over time, becomes addictive. Fortunately, maintaining a physical exercise routine makes it more durable than anxiety of food deprivation.

Physical exercise is usually applied under the supervision of a physiotherapist or trainer. On the other hand, weight reduction may involve surgical and non-surgical measures, which make it more costly, and time consuming. Occupational changes and lifestyle modifications may require medical or non-medical interventions.

The second station comes when imbalance leads to certain anatomical changes. Some of these changes largely aim at stabilizing the joint against the involved forces e.g., osteophytes and osteoarthritic changes. Other anatomical changes do not e.g., disc prolapse and ligament strain. These anatomical changes are pathological and lead to joint dysfunction and pain. These changes are usually diagnosed by clinical manifestations and imaging. Definitive treatment of anatomical changes usually involves surgical procedures.

The third station is reflected by pain and dysfunction that diagnosed clinically.  This station is targeted by all pain therapeutic modalities.

The fourth station is the progressive weakness which is expected due to patients’ reluctance to move against pain. Hence, pain treatment is essential to allow rehabilitation and maintaining muscle and joint function until the achievement of definitive treatment is intended. Or, to keep the muscle and joint viability for as long as possible in order to give the patient the best chance if the definitive is not possible due to any reason.

Diagnosis must define the four stations in order to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. For example, it is not enough to isolate a herniated disc with nerve root compression from the associated trunk muscle integrity and relation with the involved forces e.g., prolonged setting. Educating the patient about that will help in compliance with the comprehensive treatment plan. And it will increase satisfaction from the surgery for discectomy and nerve root decompression realizing that it is a part of the comprehensive treatment plan and not the only treatment. Accordingly, patient will accept that multiple treatment modalities may be applied for the same patient targeting different stations of the cycle as required.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the joint degeneration cycle could provide a holistic approach to patient care in all degenerative spine disorders. It could help understanding the role of various interventions and their therapeutic targets within the cycle. This will, also, reduce the conflict between care givers’ advice and clarify the nomenclature.