Joint Pain

Joints are the articulation points located between different parts of the skeletal structure. They are either fixed or relatively fixed or synovial. They are pivotal points of operating in the wrist, ankle, elbow, knee, shoulders and hips, and elsewhere. If something happens to a joint, whether it is through an accident, disease or other health issue, we experience joint pain. The type of joint pain we will experience depends upon the causal factors

Causes 

There are several causes of joint pain. Sprains, dislocations and injuries cause pain to the joints. They stretch and tear associated body parts including muscles, ligaments and cartilage. However, various diseases also have a major effect upon the functioning of the joints. Among them are various medical problems that cause inflammation.

Inflammation presents serious problems to the affected individual. It inhibits joint movement and, therefore, the operation of the various body parts to which the joint is attached. Damaging the joint in any way can have a serious impact on the basic quality of life. The major causes of joint inflammation, and therefore pain, are usually some form of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis 

This form of arthritis occurs when the cartilage cushions around the joints decomposes leaving the exposed bones to rub against each other. This is the most common type of arthritis found worldwide, including over 3 million in Canada. In the over-age-65 category, more women than men are prone to suffer osteoarthritis. The prevalence of this problem ensures that arthritis remains among the top 3 chronic illnesses in Canada and elsewhere.

There is no specific known cause for the onset of this disease. Medical professionals believe that genetics, age, gender, sex hormones, weight, certain occupations, specific injuries, other joint problems and certain joint diseases, alone or combined, create the conditions for osteoarthritis. The disease, results in joint pain in various parts of the body including the shoulder and the elbow, the hands and the wrists, the ankle, the neck, the hip and the knee. The effects may range from movement restriction and stiffness, to numbness and even physical deformity. All are accompanied by various levels of joint pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This autoimmune disease is impartial in its selection of individuals. No matter what age or gender, you can get rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is a complex medical issue. The basic process is the forming of antibodies against the synovial cellular lining of the joints. The joints become inflamed. The process affects other parts of the body, irritating nerves while elongating the capsule surrounding the joint. It can damage the bone cartilage and even cause inflammation of the vital organs within the body, specifically the heat and lungs.

During the process, individuals will feel pain in their joints as well as stiffness and swelling. Joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis is worse early in the morning. Since the disease tends to be symmetrical, you are likely to feel joint pain in balanced body parts. Both hands, knees, elbows or ankles will suffer joint pain.

Bursitis 

This is inflammation of the bursa. These are small fluid-filled sacs found around the joints. Caused by injury, prolonged pressure, repetitive friction, infection or the onset of certain medical diseases, bursitis makes movement difficult. The joints are painful with limited movement.

Conclusion

Joint pain occurs when there is some type of interference with the normal operation of the joint. This can be the result of injury, sprain or a disease. The most common cause of joint pain, however, is a form of arthritis. Among the most common forms afflicting mild to crippling joint pain are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and bursitis.