The body’s joints bear more stress than any other part of the human body. It is not surprising then that sore joints is a chief complaint. Joint soreness can be caused by a variety of factors. The most common cause of joint pain is osteoarthritis. However, overuse and other illnesses also have an effect on joint health.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Most people over the age of 70 are afflicted with severity ranging from mild to severe. However, after the age of 55, the illness affects more women than men. Osteoarthritis is the erosion of the cushion between the bones. The cushion is a layer of cartilage - the same tissue that makes up the bridge of your nose. Age and normal use causes some of the wear. However, with osteoarthritis the cartilage completely disappears, which leaves the exposed bones to rub against each other. Painful outgrowths of bone, called spurs, can also occur.
Osteoarthritis wears away the cartilage between the bones. The cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones. Almost everyone over the age of 55 has some degree of osteoarthritis. As we age the cartilage naturally erodes. Those afflicted with osteoarthritis, though, will eventually have no cartilage left. Once this occurs, the bones rub against each other causing painful bone spurs to form.
Ligament strains are caused by overextension of the ligament. The overextension causes the ligament to tear and swell, thus causing soreness in the joint. A ligament sprain occurs when the joint is moved in an unnatural way. Ankles are a common location for ligament sprains. Bones are also affected by overuse. Runners often get stress fractures in the weight bearing bones, such as in the feet, shins, and hips.
Other illnesses that can affect joint health are other forms of arthritis besides osteoarthritis. Just a couple of these other forms of arthritis are rheumatoid and septic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis has unknown causes but it is believed to be hereditary. It is an autoimmune disease that causes painful swelling in the joints. Septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection that enters the joint through the blood stream.
