Monday, September 14, 2009

Why Do Some People Suffer From Joint Pain?

By Mitchell Tyrell

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.

Ligaments are fibrous tissues that connect the bones. Ligament damage is another cause of joint pain. If a ligament is overused or overextended, tears or other damage can occur. When a ligament is injured, it swells. This causes pain in the joint, especially during movement. Ligaments can be injured in two ways. Strains occur when the ligament is stretched too far or overused. Sprains happen when the joint is forced into a position it would not normally go.

Another general cause of joint pain is injury to the bones in a joint. Fractures and breaks are caused when too much stress is placed on the bone. Although something as simple as stepping wrong can cause damage to the bone, the more common causes of fractures are car accidents, repetitive motion, and falls.

The above are just a few causes of joint pain. They are also some of the most common causes. However, many other causes also exist. Septic arthritis occurs when a bacterial infection affects a joint. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis cause a great deal of joint pain. In addition, tendonitis, usually caused by repetitive motion, can cause a great deal of joint pain. Obviously, joint pain can be caused by a variety of reasons. Therefore, it is imperative that you seek medical help if you are experiencing pain in any joints.

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