You put your joints through a lot during the day. Learn to take better care of them by watching for these hidden signs.
Your joints work hard every day, helping you move, play sports, and tackle daily tasks. Whether it’s opening a jar or reaching for an item on a shelf, your joints make it all possible. But over time, your joints can wear down. In fact, joint wear and tear is one of the most common orthopedic ailments in the U.S., affecting an estimated 32.5 million adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, joint wear and tear, also known as osteoarthritis, can be managed and minimized. By taking proactive steps, you can maintain healthy joints for life. But first, let’s review the common signs of joint wear and tear and what you can do to prevent it.
The hidden signs of joint wear and tear
Adults have up to 350 joints, which are formed when two bones meet. To enable movement, each bone in a joint is cushioned by a layer of cartilage, a strong yet flexible band of tissue. Over time, the cartilage can wear down, causing the bones to rub together and leading to these common symptoms:
- Pain when moving the joint.
- Stiffness, especially after waking or after a period of inactivity.
- Swelling caused by inflammation of the tissue around the joint.
- A grating sensation or popping sound when the joint moves.
- Limited range of motion, making it difficult to fully use the joint.
- Tenderness, even when the joint is lightly touched.
Beyond these common symptoms, some lesser-known signs of joint wear and tear include painful bone spurs, or hard protrusions that form on the bones in damaged joints.
Joint wear and tear, or osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that worsens over time. Some people experience only mild symptoms, while others find the pain and diminished range of motion to interfere with daily life. This can even lead to trouble sleeping and depression, two often overlooked consequences of joint wear and tear.
Any joint is at risk for wear and tear, but it develops most often in the hands, knees, spine, hips, and shoulders. Although joint wear and tear is more prevalent in adults over 55, it can also affect younger people who have experienced joint trauma, such as a car accident or a severe fall.
However, the symptoms of joint wear and tear can mimic those of other orthopedic conditions, like sprains (ligament injuries), strains (tendon or muscle injuries), or rotator cuff tears in the shoulder. Unlike these conditions, osteoarthritis specifically targets the cartilage of the joints. A doctor can make an exact diagnosis through a physical exam and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs.
How to prevent joint wear and tear
While aging is unavoidable, you can reduce the impact on your joints with these joint-friendly strategies:
Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra weight puts additional stress on your joints, especially your knees. By maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can keep your joints mobile and reduce the risk of wear and tear.
Keep moving. One way to keep your joints moving is by, well, moving. A physical therapist can help you find exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint so it remains flexible and strong. However, you might want to steer clear of workouts that are harder on the joints, such as running and weight lifting. Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or biking are easier on the joints and an overall safer option.
Get treatment. Don’t ignore the first signs of joint discomfort. Early intervention — whether through pain-relieving medications, physical therapy, or assistive devices like braces or shoe inserts — can slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Addressing joint issues early may also help you avoid more invasive treatments, like joint replacement surgery.
Keep moving with healthy joints
As a leading sports medicine center, our doctors at New York Bone & Joint Specialists have the expertise to diagnose and treat any joint issue. Let’s get you moving freely and without pain — contact us today for a consultation.
