The human body consists of more than 200 bones, some of which serve only a protective function (such as the bones of the skull), while the majority are connected by about 100 movable joints and can move relative to one another.
All surfaces where bones meet are referred to as false joints. There are also bone connections that do not allow for movement (again, for example, the bones of the skull). These immovable joint connections are also referred to as pseudo-joints; when counted together, this results in a total of 360 joints.
How do bones work together?
The interaction between
ensures the stability and mobility of the human body. This interaction is extremely important for our daily lives, our work, and our athletic activities. But even when considering an individual’s independence alone, the pain-free functioning of bones and joints is essential. Since joints are constantly under strain, they are also susceptible to diseases and painful conditions.
There are a variety of causes for bone and joint pain, which, fortunately, often manifest as harmless reactions to overuse and quickly subside after a period of rest.
However, there are also serious and chronic (long-lasting) conditions that can lead to bone and joint pain. These include, for example,
Osteoarthritis (joint wear and tear) is the most common cause of joint pain and mobility problems, and the likelihood of developing the condition increases with age. Osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage that affects the bone, but primarily the joint cartilage. Cartilage covers the bones of every joint and is a tissue with very little blood supply. As a result, joint cartilage is susceptible to overuse and chronic damage, especially in older age.
However, younger patients can also develop osteoarthritis, for example, due to improper use or overuse. Consequently, osteoarthritis occurs primarily in joints that are used improperly or overloaded, e.g., due to
Since humans move in an upright position and the lower extremities (legs) therefore bear far more weight than the upper extremities (arms), the knee and hip joints are most commonly affected by joint wear in humans. This condition is also referred to as knee osteoarthritis (medically known as gonarthrosis) or hip osteoarthritis (medically known as coxarthrosis).
The video shows osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration in the knee joint and its consequences:
What causes osteoarthritis?
The shock-absorbing articular cartilage, in particular, can hardly recover from damage. It contains no blood vessels and is therefore not supplied with nutrients via the bloodstream. Without cartilage, the bones rub directly against each other, creating sharp edges in the joint that cause pain. In advanced stages, a crunching sound may also be heard.
The sharp edges and corners in the joint can cause inflammation, which can worsen the pain. This is referred to as “activated osteoarthritis,” meaning that the chronic joint wear and tear is exacerbated by inflammation. Once the inflammation subsides, the pain usually lessens again, and the joint returns to its pre-“activation” state.
There are several diseases that can lead to osteoarthritis. These include, among others:
- Rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis)
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Osteoporosis
Rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis) as a cause of joint pain
Rheumatism, often referred to as rheumatoid arthritis, is a disease process in which the body recognizes the synovial membrane as foreign. It then reacts with inflammation and rejection.
The disease primarily affects small joints, such as the finger joints. It can lead to deformed, painful joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis as a cause of joint pain
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that primarily affects the spine. It leads to pain and progressive stiffness of the spine.
Osteoporosis as a cause of joint pain
Four to six million people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis. This refers to a pathological loss of bone mass resulting from a lack of calcium in the bones. Older women are particularly at risk. For this reason, the hunched back associated with osteoporosis is commonly referred to as a “widow’s hump.”
Back pain occasionally occurs in the early stages of the disease.
Unfortunately, osteoporosis is often not taken seriously until the first bones break. In advanced cases of osteoporosis, even a simple slip or stumble can lead to very painful bone fractures.
© freshidea / Fotolia
Joints frequently affected by osteoarthritis and joint pain include:
Hip joint: Signs of wear and tear occur particularly frequently here. The hip joint is constantly under strain and must bear a large portion of the body’s weight. The cartilage that protects the hip socket and the femoral head becomes increasingly thinner due to cartilage wear. Eventually, the two bones rub against each other, which can make walking very painful.
Knee joint: Knee pain can have many different causes. Pain often results from wear and tear, for example as a consequence of
- excess weight
- poorly healed injuries, or
- misalignments
In the knee joint, the shock-absorbing menisci fail due to wear and tear, leading to meniscal damage.
Hand and finger joints: The joints of the hand and fingers can be painful due to both wear and tear associated with osteoarthritis and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis, often only individual joints are affected, depending on the strain placed on them. In manual laborers, the base of the thumb is frequently affected, as it is subjected to the greatest strain and is stressed with nearly every hand movement. In rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints in both hands are often affected.
It’s common to see people with these conditions taking it easy or adopting a “crooked” posture because of the pain. This often leads to weight gain, which further exacerbates the problem due to the increased strain on the joints. The poor posture resulting from this avoidance of movement inevitably leads to pain in the ligaments and muscles surrounding the joint, creating a vicious cycle.
That is why it is important to detect and treat painful joint and bone conditions as early as possible.
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis are conditions that continue to progress. Once the cartilage and bone of a joint have been destroyed, the damage cannot be reversed. In most cases, however, consistent treatment can alleviate the pain. The disease process can also be slowed or even halted.
Treatment options include:
- Pain management
- Bandages
- Physical therapy
- Massages
- Muscle and mobility training
- Nutrition Counseling
- Arthroscopy
- Joint Replacement (Joint Prosthesis)
Pain management should be tailored to the severity of the pain. For mild to moderate joint and bone pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are appropriate. These are medications containing the active ingredients diclofenac or ibuprofen, which
- relieve pain and
- reduce inflammation
.
For severe and very severe joint and bone pain, stronger pain relievers—known as opioids—are also prescribed. They are used in particular when pain cannot be adequately managed with simple pain relievers. Wearing supports, physical therapy, massages, and muscle and mobility training all help maintain joint mobility. They also help prevent poor posture.
Personalized nutritional counseling is beneficial for inflammatory bone diseases or certain underlying conditions. Diet can have a positive impact on symptoms. Those affected should avoid foods that promote inflammation and prioritize anti-inflammatory foods. Vitamin D is considered a bone-strengthening vitamin. It is produced in the skin from UV radiation in sunlight and absorbed through the diet. As the fat-soluble form of vitamin D3, it is particularly well absorbed by the body.
A balanced and healthy diet can have a positive effect on some forms of joint disease © bit24 / Fotolia
In certain cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the joints. In some instances, this may offer the possibility of restoring a joint affected by wear and tear. If none of this helps, an endoprosthesis—an artificial joint replacement—is a suitable option, particularly for the hip and knee joints (hip prosthesis, knee prosthesis).
What is the most common cause of joint pain?
The most common cause of joint pain is osteoarthritis, which involves the wear and tear of cartilage and joint cartilage. Other possible causes include inflammation, gout, infection, or a rheumatic disease. The cause of joint pain should therefore always be determined on a case-by-case basis.
When is joint pain a warning sign?
Acute joint pain accompanied by swelling, redness, fever, or limited mobility should be evaluated by a doctor. Joint inflammation, a bacterial infection, or rheumatoid arthritis may be the underlying cause of these symptoms. It is also advisable to seek medical evaluation if joint pain occurs at night or while at rest.
Why does joint pain occur throughout the entire body?
Joint pain throughout the body may indicate an autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism, or rheumatoid arthritis. In such cases, multiple joints may be affected simultaneously. Muscle and joint pain also occur together in some systemic diseases.
How is joint pain diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a physical examination, an assessment of the affected joint, and laboratory tests. If necessary, imaging tests and a joint aspiration may be performed. Diagnostic testing helps identify possible causes, triggers of joint pain, and inflammatory changes.
How can joint pain be treated?
Treatment for joint pain depends on its underlying cause. In cases of osteoarthritis, exercise, weight loss, and pain relievers can help, while anti-inflammatory medications are often used for inflammatory conditions. The goal of pain treatment is to relieve symptoms, improve mobility, and prevent chronic pain.
