There are plenty of reasons why your joints could be giving you gyp – and it’s not always arthritis. Find out what could be behind those aches and pains. Are your knees or hips constantly aching? If so, you’re not alone. More than 10 million people in the India have arthritis or other conditions that affect the joints, which can restrict mobility and reduce your quality of life. So, how can you work out what’s causing your joint pain, and – even better – help prevent it? Get the low-down with our guide.
What is joint pain?
A joint is a point on your body where your bones connect and allow for movement. Joint pain is pain experienced anywhere in or around your joints. There may also be stiffness and inflammation, with heat and swelling. Joint pain can be felt as a sharp pain, burning sensation, tenderness or dull ache. Sometimes it disappears after a few weeks, but it can become chronic, lasting years. There are numerous causes, but often it’s a sign of arthritis or injury.
Which joints are most often affected?
Your knees are particularly vulnerable to damage as they support your body weight – for each pound you weigh, your knees endure four pounds of stress!
Other susceptible joints include your hips, shoulders and ankles.
What causes joint pain?
The ends of your bones are separated by cartilage and connected by muscles, tendons and ligaments. Surrounding the joint is the synovial membrane, which produces fluid to help lubricate the joint. Between some joints is a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa. Joint pain can occur if any of these parts become injured or inflamed.
Common conditions that trigger joint pain
One of the most common long-term joint conditions is arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in the joints.
The two main types of arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis – this is ‘wear and tear’ arthritis, where the protective cartilage lining bones breaks down, causing pain and inflammation, and is more common in older people
- Rheumatoid arthritis – this is an autoimmune condition, where the body mistakenly attacks the joints, causing pain, stiffness and swelling. It often feels worse in the mornings
Gout is another type of arthritis that occurs when excess uric acid in the blood leads to tiny, painful crystals forming in and around the joints.
This causes hot, swollen, red joints – especially the big toe.
Other conditions that could cause painful joints include:
- Bursitis – when a bursa gets inflamed and causes sharp pain, mainly due to overuse, such as tennis elbow
- Lupus – an autoimmune connective tissue condition, characterised by widespread inflammation. The two major symptoms are extreme tiredness, and joint and muscle pain
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – up to 30% of people with Crohn’s or colitis experience joint inflammation, too
- Fibromyalgia – this chronic pain condition causes joint pain due to muscle stiffness, but without inflammation
- Thyroid conditions – painful joints can sometimes be a symptom of an underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism
- Psoriasis – psoriatic arthritis is when the symptoms of psoriasis also extend to the joints, causing pain and inflammation
How to treat joint pain
Over-the-counter painkillers can help tackle moderate joint pain but if the pain is severe, or doesn’t subside after a few weeks, see your GP. They can refer you for corticosteroid injections or recommend surgery, if necessary. Certain supplements may help, too. Studies show taking omega-3 fish oils can reduce morning stiffness in those with rheumatoid arthritis, while a 1991 trial published in Clinical Therapeutics found a topical cream containing capsaicin, extracted from chillies, can ease joint pain. Researchers from the University of Miami also found that osteoarthritis patients taking ginger for six weeks experienced less pain. There are a number of lifestyle changes that you can make to tackle painful joints.
Lifestyle changes to tackle joint pain
Thermotherapy- Hot compresses can ease stiffness, while ice-packs soothe inflammation and pain
Wearing supportive shoes- This puts less stress on ankles and knees
Losing weight- If you’re overweight or obese, maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on hips and knees
Keeping active- Exercise can improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles supporting joints
Reducing inflammatory foods- Sugar, alcohol, carbohydrates and too much vegetable oil/omega-6 oils may be a possible cause of inflammation, leading to conditions such as heart disease and arthritis
