Joints are the parts of our bodies that join bones and cartilage together. They accommodate motion. They’re not all the same and operate differently. Some are highly movable. Others only enable mild motion. Some don’t move at all. There are six kinds of synovial joints, for example. The hinge, pivot, saddle plane, condyloid and ball-and-socket joints are those that enable the most movement. Hinge joints move fingers and toes. A pivot joint allows us to turn our necks. Our hips and shoulders move via ball-and-socket joints. Our wrists are able to flex due to the joints between the radius, scaphoid and lunate bones that enable a gliding motion. Saddle joints allow the thumb to bend. Our ankles move courtesy of the navicular and second cuneiform joints. Planar joints are what allow motion in our ankles. Our bodies are well designed and more intricate than we often realize, and oftentimes it’s not until a person deals with joint pain that they realize just how important these body parts truly are.
What Does Having Joint Pain Mean?
Joint pain is an indicator of one of many possible problems. Sometimes it’s a sign of arthritis. It could be gout or maybe even a sprain. Joint pain is the first sign of an injury or condition that needs to be treated. Some joints act up more than others, the knee being one such example. Knees carry the weight of our bodies and over time can become sensitive from the pressure that bears down on them.
If you experience swelling or stiffness in your knee, you’re not alone. Knee problems afflict thirty percent of the population in the United States, according to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sometimes something as simple as losing a few pounds can alleviate knee tenderness. Only a full medical evaluation can resolve why your joints are hurting, however.
What are the Best Forms of Treatment?
Medicine is, of course, an option. But many people wish to stay away from medications, if possible. That’s why at Phoenix Regenerative Medicine, we are proud to offer viscosupplementation and other regenerative therapies for joint pain and other issues. Contact us today to book an evaluation in Phoenix and get started.
