Are You Looking After Your Joints?

Many people suffer from joint problems as they get older (although young people can develop them too). Such problems can result in pain, stiffness and mobility issues. By looking after your joints, you may be able prevent, prolong or slow down these joint problems.

Below is a guide to exactly what causes joint problems, how to treat them and how to prevent them.

What causes joint problems?

There are all kinds of factors that can cause stiff and achy joints. Some of the biggest causes of joint problems are listed below:

Arthritis

Arthritis is the most common joint disease. In fact, it’s believed that almost a quarter of the population have some form of arthritis. This condition occurs when joints become inflamed, usually as a result of soft tissues between the joints wearing away. This tissue damage could be a knock-one effect of an injury or an infection or it could be caused by gradual wear and tear over many years. Being overweight can drastically increase your risk of developing arthritis.

Injuries

From sprains to dislocations, there are many ways in which our joints can get injured. Such injuries are often caused by falling or by playing sports. You can usually treat such injuries and help your joints return to a healthy condition. Not allowing joints to heal properly can lead to long-term problems like arthritis (so it’s important to always listen to your doctor). 

Infections

Joints can become infected by bacteria, which can cause damage to the cartilage and bones. Such infections are sometimes known as septic arthritis. How does bacteria get into joints? Often it’s the result of not treating other infections around the body such as skin infections, urinary infections or even tooth infections. Bacteria can get into the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, often affecting joints where blood is likely to pool. By treating bodily infections early, you may be able to prevent joint infections.

Overuse of joints

If joints are constantly moving or extended for long periods, it can put a lot of pressure on the tendons and muscles. This can cause small tears in tendons or pressure on surrounding nerves, which can lead to joint problems like tendonitis, Tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome. Overuse of joints may also contribute to wear and tear of the cartilage – causing arthritis. 

Gout

Gout causes sharp pain in joints as a result of urate crystals forming on the joints. These crystals are the result of having too much uric acid in the blood, which often collects around the joints to form crystals over time. The kidneys can sometimes overproduce uric acid as a result of an unhealthy diet (consuming too much raw meat, sugar or beer are big risk factors) – this excess uric acid then gets into the bloodstream leading to gout.

Lupus

Lupus is a condition in which your immune system starts attacking healthy body parts – mistaking them for threats. This can include skin, organs and joints. Lupus is sadly often genetic, although environmental factors such as chronic stress or smoking can increase the risk of developing lupus. 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that can cause random pain and tiredness around the body. This is believed to be the result of a hormone deficiency and chemical changes to the nervous system, which then leads to pain messages being sent to areas such as the joints. The likes of stress and poor sleep quality are thought to be major triggers. 

Osteoporosis

Bones may start to become brittle and stop regenerating in older age. This is a condition known as osteoporosis and it can be another cause of joint issues. People with eating disorders and a low calcium intake are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis.

Can joint problems be cured?

Many joint problems have no cure. There are however treatment options that can reduce pain and delay/prevent further damage.

Making lifestyle changes is often one of the most effective ways to treat joint problems. Joint diseases like arthritis are often caused by being overweight – by taking measures to lose weight, you may be able to reduce further pressure on the joints and prevent further damage. In the case of injuries, it could be important to rest the joint to let it heal, while still doing some mild physical activity. 

Medicines can be used to reduce symptoms of some problems. If you’ve got a joint infection for instance, you may be able to be prescribed antibiotics to help fight it off. Steroids can meanwhile help to reduce many forms of inflammation – they are sometimes prescribed to people with arthritis or lupus. A doctor will know exactly which medicines are appropriate to prescribe. 

Operations may also be a solution for certain kinds of joint problems. Procedures such as arthroscopies can sometimes be used to treat issues like arthritis. In other cases, full joint replacements (such as a hip replacement) may be an option. It’s worth talking to your doctor about what options are available. 

How to live with joint problems

If joint problems cannot be treated, you must learn to live with them. Fortunately, there are so many tools and resources that can help you to do this.

For many people, it could be a case of simply finding ways to reduce pain. Over-the-counter and prescription painkillers may be able to offer some relief, but there are other ways to relieve pain too. A few forms of pain relief to explore could include:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic treatment
• Hydrotherapy
• Massage therapy
• Herbal medicine (e.g. turmeric, CBD, aloe vera)

Reducing stress in your life could also help to reduce flare-ups – the stress hormone, cortisol, often exacerbates inflammation. You may also be able to reduce pain and inflammation by getting a good night’s sleep, adopting a healthy diet and doing moderate exercise. Quite often a doctor will be able to recommend the best lifestyle changes to help your joints recover. 

If joint problems become too severe, you may have to find ways to take the pressure off. People with advanced arthritis or osteoporosis in the legs may eventually find it difficult to walk. Fortunately, modern technology has enabled many people to maintain independent lives when this happens. Mobility scooters could help you to go about your day-to-day business outdoors – it’s worth comparing different scooters in order to find the most stable to get around. You may also be able to use smart technology to more easily control elements in your home such as lighting and heating from your phone.

Joint problems can cause some people to have to make sacrifices such as moving home or giving up work and hobbies. This can be emotionally difficult – especially if you’re still fairly young. There are support groups and services out there that can help you with the emotional struggles of joint disease. It’s important to keep friends and family around you and not feel too bad about asking them for help when you need it. It’s worth also noting that you may be entitled to certain financial benefits if you have a disability. 

How to prevent joint problems

Joint problems can occur in old age as a result of natural wear and tear. There are however many bad habits that can result in joint problems occurring earlier. By breaking these bad habits, you may be able to ward off joint problems until your 70s rather than developing them in your 30s or 40s.  

A few ways in which you may be able to prevent joint problems include:

• Being active: Physical inactivity can be a big risk factor for developing joint problems. By being active, you may be able to maintain a healthy weight and prevent conditions such as arthritis occuring.
• Maintaining a healthy diet: A poor diet can also contribute to many joint problems such as osteoporosis and gout. Make sure that you’re consuming a well balanced and that you’re limiting things like alcohol and sugar. 
• Quitting smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop issues such as arthritis and tendonitis. If you’re a smoker, you could also find that joint injuries heal more slowly – which could lead to complications developing. 
• Wearing comfortable shoes: Believe it or not, but your shoes could be contributing to joint problems later in life. Wearing high heels every day could cause the ankles, knees and hips to wear more quickly. Not wearing running shoes while running can also increase your risk of developing injuries.
• Listening to your body: Overuse of joints will cause them to ache. When you start to feel pain, take a break where possible in order to avoid developing issues such as tendonitis or sprains. The body is very good at giving warning signals, but most people ignore them and try to soldier on through. Start listening to your body so that you know when to stop. With many repetitive strain injuries, taking a break of a few minutes may be all that’s needed to stop a temporary ache turning into a long-term injury.