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Sharp aches, which almost feel like pinpricks in the elbows and knees when doing day-to-day activities, are joint pains.
Joint pain is a very common symptom impacting the lives of millions across the country. Joint pain, Knee pain are umbrella terms for symptoms which may be caused due to various underlying medical conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Certain types of joint diseases, or other physical conditions arising from exertion.
In a survey, it was found that Indians are 15 times more susceptible to joint pains and knee arthritis compared to the western population. It is painful and leads to inflammation. In order to treat the condition, one should understand what it is. Joints are the body points where two or more bones meet and move. The word joint refers to any part of a limb moved by muscles and connected with ligaments, tendons, cartilage, synovial fluid, and other tissues surrounding it. Visit Manipal Hospitals for Joint pain treatment in Delhi.
Type of Joints
Joints, according to their shape, are:
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Ball-and-socket joints
These joints are in the shoulders and hips. They allow for rotation in all directions while providing stability because they have large surfaces where the ball fits into the socket.
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Hinge joints
Joints that allow only up-and-down motion like those found in your ankle, elbows and knees.
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Gliding joints
Joints that allow side-to-side motion like those found in your wrists and ankles.
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Saddle joints
The human thumb is the only bone in the body with a saddle joint. This joint allows it to move in two planes–flexion/extension or straightening and bending and abduction/adduction or movement away from the body and towards the body.
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Ellipsoid joint
Joints at the base of the index finger, carpals of the wrist, elbow and wrist joints. They allow up-down and side-to-side motions.
What is Joint Pain?
Joint pain can be a significant discomfort or inflammation arising from a joint like knee, hip, shoulder or ankles. Usually, joint pain refers to arthritis. However, knee pain may result from an injury or arthritis, gout and infections.
In some cases, joint pain may result from other underlying conditions; such as muscle weakness and stiffness or some physical injury such as ligament tear etc. Correct knowledge and timely treatment can help manage Joint Aches and Knee Pain.
What Causes Joint and Knee Pain?
Joint pain can be as common as a headache and a sign of severe health issues. The commonly found causes of joint and knee pain are:
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Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of joint pain. It's the wear and tear on your joints over time. The cartilage in your joints starts to break down, and you begin to feel pain when your joints move.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is the body's immune system attacking the joints lining, making them inflamed and painful.
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Gout is the crystal formation of uric acid in or around your joints, causing inflammation and irritation. This type of arthritis usually affects one or two big toes and occasionally the knee.
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Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa—the fluid-filled sacs between bones where muscles attach—caused by repetitive motions, overuse, injury, or infection.
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Viral/Bacterial infections make joint movements painful.
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Injuries are outside forces affecting your body. Such as an accident or an injury sustained while playing sports. The more extensive your injury is, the more likely you will experience joint and knee pain. An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) damage is a common knee injury, a tear of any of the four ligaments connecting the shinbone to the thighbone.
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Exertion - Unsupervised workouts, excessive physical strain on a particular body part or adventure sports done without proper training and precautionary gear, can often lead to joint pains. They may lead to injuries to the ligaments and or tendons. These too can lead to severe pains in the movement of the joints.
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Tendinitis occurs when small tears occur in tendons due to overuse or lack of proper conditioning. Tendons are fibres that connect muscles to bones.
What are the Risks associated with Joint and Knee Pain?
Many of us experience joint and knee pain with age. The good news is that there are several ways to manage this pain and live a wholesome life. The first step is understanding the risks associated with joint and knee pain.
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Overweight
Overweight individuals are at greater risk for joint and knee pain because they put more weight on their joints than they should. Being overweight also increases stress on your knees and cartilage, which can cause deterioration over time.
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Lack of Flexibility and Strength
Flexibility is essential for preventing joint pain because it helps keep your muscles limber and less likely to pull or strain as you move through your day or do your activities. A lack of strength can also increase the risk of joint and knee pain, making it difficult for muscles to support joints during movement or strenuous physical labour.
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Repetitive Stress
Repetitive stress injuries such as tendinitis are common among athletes and similar professions.
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Depression and stress
Depression and anxiety also cause joint and knee pain as people avoid activities that are typically fun or relaxing. They may also start to eat poorly, leading to weight gain and making your joints hurt even more!
How to Prevent Joint and Knee Pain?
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Maintaining a healthy weight prevents joint and knee pain. Being overweight puts additional pressure on joints, which can cause them to wear out faster than usual.
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Develop conditioning to prevent joint and knee pain. Strong muscles can better handle the stress placed on them during exercise or everyday activities like walking upstairs or carrying groceries.
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Ensuring a good technique in a workout prevents joint and knee pain due to overuse or misuse of muscles around those joints. Take the help of professionals before starting activities like lifting heavy objects, sports-specific movements and running.
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Choose appropriate activities depending on your condition. Consult with the best joint pain doctor in Delhi to get an expert to advise you on choosing the right sports or activities, for example, running, swimming, martial arts and weight lifting.
Are you experiencing joint or knee pain? Reach out to Manipal Hospitals trusted as the best orthopaedic hospital in Dwarka, Delhi. We have world-class facilities to help patients overcome joint and knee pain. Our facilities include:
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Total knee replacement surgery
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Total hip replacement surgery
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Paediatric orthopaedics
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Sports injury management
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ACL reconstruction
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Shoulder surgery
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Total shoulder replacement
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Total elbow replacement
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Laminectomy
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Arthroscopy
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Osteotomy
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Pinched nerves treatment
You now know that joint pain can result from many different conditions, but it is essential to remember that the best way to deal with joint and knee pain is to prevent it and opt for timely treatment. If you are experiencing joint or knee pain, don't hesitate to visit Manipal Hospitals, Delhi, today. Our experts help determine what's causing your pain and get you back on track. Read how dehydration affects your bone and muscle health, and find out more about knee replacement and bone health.
HOD and consultant - Joint Replacement and Orthopaedics
Manipal Hospitals. Delhi
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