Are Your Joints Breaking Down?
Degenerative joint disease is a common condition that affects millions of adults. Joints are where 2 bones meet and allow the body to bend, twist, and move. Smooth cartilage covers these bones, reducing friction and helping with shock absorption. Over time, the cartilage and bone break down due to age, genetics, reduced bone mass, and lack of vitamins. This is also called osteoarthritis. Joint degradation leads to joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and clicking of joints. Slowing down joint damage is critical for improving the quality of life and avoiding more severe consequences.
Exercise is best
Muscles surround and stabilize the joint, which is vital for reducing pain. Leg raises, hamstring curls, and squats can protect the knee from chronic pain. Adding resistance exercise, such as weight training, also helps improve joint health. Studies show that exercise and resistance training decrease joint pain. Speak with a coach or physical therapist for a routine that helps protect the joints.
Consider lifestyle changes
Inflammation, the body’s natural immune system response, can lead to joint degeneration. Chronic inflammation causes swelling and joint pain. Making some consistent lifestyle changes can reduce pain and improve joint health. For example, doctors will recommend an anti-inflammatory diet with limited processed foods. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use may also slow down osteoarthritis. In addition, supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, collagen, and glucosamine chondroitin can improve joint health. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist about the best multivitamin on the market.
See your doctor
Chronic joint pain should not be ignored. Instead, see a doctor to devise a plan for treating the painful joint. First, the doctor can perform a physical exam, x-rays, and other imaging tests to find the root cause of joint pain. After an assessment, the doctor can provide a range of non-surgical options. Some treatment examples are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or stronger opioids in controlled doses. Steroid injections, fluoroscopy, and regenerative medication are other treatments to consider. These can provide long-term relief, making physical therapy (PT) and exercise more effective.
Is surgery the solution?
There are cases where conservative options are ineffective. Joint pain and stiffness limit movement and severely affect the quality of life. At this point, a doctor will suggest surgery. Some patients need to remove or repair bone or cartilage. Others will benefit from a partial or total joint replacement using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to treat the joint. MIS uses small incisions compared to conventional open surgery. The benefits include less pain, higher success rates, and smaller scars.
An improved knee with MIS
Every individual should expect some form of joint generation. For some people, this can become severe, affecting movement and causing distress. Start by making lifestyle changes to improve the health and strength of the affected joint. If this approach fails, then consider minimally invasive surgery. After recovery, there will be less pain and improved movement.
