Today we’re taking a look at human anatomy, focusing on the joints. Joints, in fact, fulfil a very important function. They enable us to move – from walking to moving our arms. They form a vital part of our musculoskeletal system. But what exactly is the function of joints within our bodies? What types of joint disorders are there, and how can they be treated?
What is the function of your joints?
Joints consist of two or more bones that connect with each other, allowing a movement to be made. In most joints, the ends have cartilage. This protects the bones and helps make sliding movements. Around each joint is the joint capsule that contains synovium. Synovium is a fluid whose function is to ensure that the joints' movements are smooth. In addition, the bone structures in a joint are held together by ligaments (ligaments). Ligaments are made of connective tissue and are also part of the joint capsule.
Different types of joints
There are many different types of joints in our body. Since not every joint can make the same movement, these are divided into different categories.
synovial joints
Most joints are movable; these are known as synovial joints. They enable us to move freely. Examples of this type of joint include the shoulder joint, elbow joint, wrist joint, hip joint, knee joint and ankle joint.
ball joints
Ball-and-socket joints consist of a ball and a socket. These are joints that can rotate in all directions. A good example of this is the shoulder, which you can rotate in a circle. You may also sometimes hear people say that the shoulder has ‘popped out of its socket’. With this injury, the head (the upper part of the humerus) is no longer seated in the socket (the lower part of the scapula). Recovery from this injury can take four to six weeks.
hinge joint
Just like a door hinge, a hinge joint can only bend up and down. You have this type of joint in your elbow and knee.
rolling joint
As the name suggests, this joint allows the bones to ‘roll’ around each other. The rolling joint enables your ulna and radius to rotate around each other, which in turn allows your hands to rotate.
saddle joint
This joint is between the thumb and the root of the hand, for example. The bone parts form a saddle. Thanks to the convex and concave curvature, movement on two planes is possible.
What are joints for?
The joint is a very important but therefore versatile and complicated part of our body. It allows us to move smoothly. Muscles also play an important role when it comes to our joints. They hold the joint capsule and ligaments together and are connected to our bones through tendons. Joint pain occurs when making a wrong movement, overuse or damage to the joint.
What is joint pain?
From research has shown that more than 68% of the global population experiences joint pain. As a result, it has a negative impact on daily life. Joint pain can occur anywhere in the body in the form of stuck joints, tenderness and swelling. In addition, joint pain can be distinguished as chronic and non-chronic.
Non-chronic joint pain
Some examples of non-chronic joint pain are torn ligaments, dislocation (dislocated arm or leg). A sprain is also a form of non-chronic joint pain. The ligaments are overstretched or sprained, so the bone no longer sits normally in the joint and is swollen.
Chronic joint pain
There are also a number of forms of chronic joint pain. These include rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. These two forms are caused by inflammation in the joints. Osteoarthritis can occur in all ages, but is most common in the elderly because this group uses their joints too little. In athletes and overweight people, the joints are overused. The most common joint pain is knee pain. For example, think of a knee strain or sprain due to sports.
joint blockade
Do you suffer from fatigue, a general decline in health, or do you find it difficult to move freely? If so, you may be experiencing a blockage in a joint. There’s no need to sound the alarm straight away, but it’s always worth keeping a close eye on this. After all, you may have been suffering from a joint lock-up for years without realising it. When a joint becomes blocked, the joint capsule gets wedged between the two bones. This can happen due to overuse of the joints or an awkward movement. The space between the two bones is reduced, causing the blockage.
arthritis
Changes in cartilage loosen cartilage particles that become inflamed. This causes the synovial membrane to swell and produce fluid. As a result, the joint becomes warm and causes pain. Joint inflammation often occurs when someone with osteoarthritis has sprained, twisting the joint.
How does joint pain occur?
Performing everyday movements places constant pressure on the joints, putting them at risk of damage. As mentioned above, the knee is the most common culprit when it comes to joint pain. This is because the knee bears the brunt of the body’s weight and is therefore particularly vulnerable to injury and pain. Do you play sport? If so, you are even more likely to suffer knee injuries. When landing, the body’s weight is transferred to the knee with greater force. Joint pain can also occur as a result of accidents. Due to a trauma moment, the ligaments may not be able to handle the forces and tear as a result.
What can you do yourself to relieve joint pain?
By staying active and getting plenty of rest, you’ll not only improve your general fitness, but also the health of your heart, lungs and joints. For example, it’s better for your overall health to exercise for 30 minutes a day than for an hour three times a week. For each joint condition, it is important to assess which movements are appropriate and which are not. If you have severe pain in your hip or knee, for example, you should avoid climbing stairs too much, but you should continue to bend and stretch the joint. Our physiotherapists can guide you through this process.
Are you experiencing joint problems? Please contact FRISKFYSIO
Joint pain can have a negative impact on your daily life. Are you experiencing joint problems? Please call 085-5000333 For an appointment, send an e-mail to info@friskfysio.nl or fill in the contact form on our website. We will contact you as soon as possible.
