Joint pain, also called arthritis, can be the result of many different things. Joint pain is primarily a symptom of the aging process, though it is also found after overuse of joints, injury to joints affecting the ligaments, bones or tendons, inflammation due to arthritis or infection, and in rare cases, tumors on the joint. Additionally, joint pain can be caused by tendonitis and bursitis.
Aging is an inevitable process, and the years of wear-and-tear on the body’s joints take its toll. Joint pain from aging can take shape in any joint – in your neck, back, knees, hips, wrists, ankles, etc. Aging cannot be stopped, but the pain can be cured and the symptoms can be postponed if you take proper care of your body.
Joint pain can also be a consequence of injury; an accident or forceful blow to the joint (perhaps when participating in sports) can affect the bones, ligaments, bones, tendons and bursae (fluid sacs) around the joint. This impact can lead to painful swelling and inflammation.
Another leading cause of joint pain is arthritis. Arthritis comes in many forms. Osteoarthritis is an affliction that leads to the deterioration of cartilage in the joints. It is the most widespread form of arthritis and is associated with aging. As we age, the cartilage in the joints becomes worn out from continued use over the years and loses its lubricating effect on the bones. Another form of arthritis that leads to joint pain is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system is unable to differentiate natural body tissues from foreign entities, and the immune system attacks one’s own “self.”
Tendonitis is a condition most commonly affecting the wrists, elbows and shoulders, and is a characterized by an inflammation of the tendons, the fibers that bond the muscles to bones. This is typically brought upon by overuse. “Tennis Elbow” is a common description of tendonitis.
Joint pain can also be a result of bursitis. Bursitis is commonly found in the shoulders, hips, elbows and knees, and is a condition whereby the bursae (fluid filled sacs which attach the tendons to bone and skin) become inflamed. When healthy, bursae provide the joint with a smooth surface for movement; when inflamed, any movement over the bursae becomes tender and painful.
