Introduction
In India, about 180 million people suffer from arthritis alone, making it one of the leading causes of joint pain. And what can be done to subdue this pain? For starters, you can know about its underlying cause and treat it before it turns devilish.
What is Joint Pain, or Arthralgia?
Simply put, pain that arises from joints in different parts of the body is called joint pain. Functionally, a joint that provides more movement is prone to more injuries, causing more pain.
What are joints?
Joints are the meeting point of bones. Like bridges, they connect the entire skeletal system and allow for different types of movements. The extent of its movement depends and differs based on the structure and function of the joint.
10 reasons that can cause joint pain
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is a common condition affecting the joints. It makes the cartilage rigid. Cartilage, a flexible tissue enclosing the bones provides elasticity for easy movement of the bones. Its deterioration causes stiffness and restricts movement. Cartilage works as a shock absorber. As it wears off the bones turn more susceptible to damage causing joint pain.
Tendinitis:
Tendinitis is caused by inflammation or injury in the tendons. It mainly affects the ankles, knees, the base of the thumb, elbows, and shoulders. Tendinitis may begin with a minor injury in the tendons and can escalate to a severe condition. Tendons, the connective tissues present betwixt muscles and bones function by taking the load off the bones and preventing injury from potent forces. More strain on the tendon due to routine activities like driving, cleaning, and playing injures tendons and is one of the major reasons for tendinitis.
Bursitis:
Bursitis is a joint pain caused by swelling in the bursae. Bursae, singular bursa, are the lubricating fluid-containing sacs around the joints. When your joints experience immense exertion they may cause inflammation in the bursae. It restricts movement and causes severe joint pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder affecting the joints. It commonly affects hands, fingers, knees, toes, and ankles. In such autoimmune disorders, the immune system begins to attack the healthy cells in your body, misinterpreting them as foreign cells. This stimulates inflammation and pain in the joints.
Gout:
Gout is a common arthritis condition caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the joints. It affects areas like elbows, wrists, hands, knees, and ankles, among others. When the uric acid in the body is unable to pass through the urinary system it finds its way into the joints and builds up to form crystals, called urate. These crystals collect in the joints and provoke swelling and severe pain.
Sprain or Strain:
Sprain mostly occurs as a result of a ligament tear that causes pain and inflammation. The injury can extend from mild to severe. You may have experienced a sprained ankle or knee sometime. Such injuries cause pain and discomfort and last for a short period.
Cartilage Tear:
The joints are enveloped by cartilages. Any damages in these connective tissues result in cartilage tears. Usually affecting ankles, knees, or wrists, a cartilage tear can take a long time to recover as they are devoid of blood vessels. In severe cases, surgery might be needed.
Viral Arthritis:
Some of the common viruses that can cause joint pain are dengue, hepatitis A, B, and C, and retroviruses, among others. Such viral arthritis can cause loss of movement, stiffness, and pain. These symptoms may disappear as the viral infection subsides.
Traumatic Synovitis:
When a joint injury resurfaces it causes the tendons and other tissues to swell. This kind of inflammation in the tissue lining is called traumatic synovitis. It is easily treatable at home.
Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia is a prevailing condition causing stiff, painful, and fatigued joints. It can also affect muscles, and body areas like shoulders, neck, back, arms, and thighs.
Often overlooked as temporary, joint pain can get mysterious if not diagnosed. Joint pain can vary from shortly-lived mild symptoms to debilitating chronic symptoms. Seek medical advice when your joint pain is still gentle.
