It is no wonder that one of the most common complaints of older people is joint pain. Our joints endure more pressure and stress than any other part of our body. Joints are the body’s shock absorbers.
The most common cause of joint pain is osteoarthritis. This particular disease eventually affects everybody, but to varying degrees. However, this illness affects more women over the age of 55. Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the cartilage in a joint to wear away. Once the cartilage is completely eroded, the bones rub together and often form bony spurs.
Damage to the ligaments is the next cause of joint pain. Ligaments are strong tissues that hold the bones together in a joint. Two types of ligament injuries exist - strains and sprains. When a ligament is stretched too far, tears can occur that causes the ligament to swell and the joint to be painful. This type of injury is called a strain. A sprain, on the other hand, occurs when a joint is forced into an unnatural position. The most common location for a sprain is the ankle.
Another cause of joint pain is damage to the bones. Fractures and breaks can occur for a variety of reasons. A fracture or a break occurs when too much pressure is placed on the bone. Falls and car accidents often cause bone damage. Repetitive motion, such as regular exercise, can cause stress fractures in the joints of the legs.
Joint pain still as many other causes than the ones listed above. Septic arthritis, autoimmune diseases and tendonitis all cause joint pain. Septic arthritis is a bacterial infection in a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. And, regular exercise, is a major contributor to stress fractures. Too many causes of joint pain exist for a successful self-diagnosis. Therefore, talk to your physician if you are experiencing any type of joint pain.
