Joints
Basic Information about Joints
Joints are basically formed whenever a particular bone connects with another, facilitating easy movement and providing protection. The joints can be categorized into three basic types known as: fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints. These joints are again classified according to their function of movement - immovable, slightly movable and movable.
The joints which are immovable are known as fibrous joints as they have no cavity and the bones are connected by dense connective tissue. The suture which joins the bones of the skull is a classic example of fibrous joint. Cartilage which is a firm, pliable tissue forms slightly movable joints. The joints between the vertebrae allow a little movement and are a good example of slightly movable joints. Synovial joints or movable joints are all similar in structure but they differ in shape depending on the type of bones which articulate with one another. Characterization of synovial joints is basically done by a cavity within a capsule. The synovial joints consist of cartilage which covers the articulating surface of the bone which forms its basic structure, a synovial membrane which secretes fluid in the cavity, lubricating the joints for easy movement, and an outer fibrous capsule which may be thickened to form ligaments.
Types of synovial joints
Synovial joints are the most movable joints in the human body. There are six types of these joints. Gliding joints are usually flat and facilitate side to side and backward and forward movements. The carpal bones of the wrist are connected to gliding joints. The second type which is known as hinge joints are characterized by the prominence of one bone articulating with the concave depression of another, thereby resembling hinge of a door. The action of the joint facilitates bending and extension of limb. Hinge joint is also known as elbow joint.
Pivot joint which is the third type of synovial joint primarily facilitates movement of rotation. The rounded or pointed surface of one bone articulates with a ring formed by bone and ligament. The vertebrae articulate at hinge joint which is located in the region of the neck enabling rotation of the head as in ‘shaking’ the head to indicate a negative response. The condyloid which is the fourth type of synovial joint is characterized by a rounded end of one bone articulating with a shallow depression in another bone. The condyloid facilitates flexion and extension, and movement towards and away from the midline of the body (abduction and adduction). The joint between the skull and the lower jaw is a typical condyloid joint.
Ball and socket joint allows free and easy movement in all directions. The surface of one bone, which is ball shaped, articulates with the deep depression in another bone. The hip joint is a good example of ball and socket joint where the head of the femur articulates with the deep hollow in the pelvic girdle. Saddle joint which is the sixth type of synovial joint facilitates flexion extension, adduction and abduction. Their shape is like a saddle and surface of one bone is convex. It is exemplified in the joint between the trapezium, one of the carpal bones of the thumb, and the metacarpal bone of the thumb, which allow circular movement.
Joint problems
The Joints in a human body are involved in almost every activity of daily life. Simple movements such as bending, walking and turning require use of hip and knee joints. Thus joints play a vital role in fluid movement of human body and hence require careful attention. But when the joint gets diseased or injured, the resulting pain can severely limit a person’s ability to work and move. One of the main causes of joint pain is arthritis. The “wearing out condition” involving the breakdown of cartilage in the joints is known as Osteoarthritis (OA).The bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness when the cartilage wears away. Individuals having family history of poor joint health usually suffer from osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) causes the synovial joints to become thickened and inflamed and may also affect other organs of the body. Generally, women are more at risk of being affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Joints are basically formed whenever a particular bone connects with another, facilitating easy movement and providing protection. The joints can be categorized into three basic types known as: fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints. These joints are again classified according to their function of movement - immovable, slightly movable and movable.
The joints which are immovable are known as fibrous joints as they have no cavity and the bones are connected by dense connective tissue. The suture which joins the bones of the skull is a classic example of fibrous joint. Cartilage which is a firm, pliable tissue forms slightly movable joints. The joints between the vertebrae allow a little movement and are a good example of slightly movable joints. Synovial joints or movable joints are all similar in structure but they differ in shape depending on the type of bones which articulate with one another. Characterization of synovial joints is basically done by a cavity within a capsule. The synovial joints consist of cartilage which covers the articulating surface of the bone which forms its basic structure, a synovial membrane which secretes fluid in the cavity, lubricating the joints for easy movement, and an outer fibrous capsule which may be thickened to form ligaments.
Types of synovial joints
Synovial joints are the most movable joints in the human body. There are six types of these joints. Gliding joints are usually flat and facilitate side to side and backward and forward movements. The carpal bones of the wrist are connected to gliding joints. The second type which is known as hinge joints are characterized by the prominence of one bone articulating with the concave depression of another, thereby resembling hinge of a door. The action of the joint facilitates bending and extension of limb. Hinge joint is also known as elbow joint.
Pivot joint which is the third type of synovial joint primarily facilitates movement of rotation. The rounded or pointed surface of one bone articulates with a ring formed by bone and ligament. The vertebrae articulate at hinge joint which is located in the region of the neck enabling rotation of the head as in ‘shaking’ the head to indicate a negative response. The condyloid which is the fourth type of synovial joint is characterized by a rounded end of one bone articulating with a shallow depression in another bone. The condyloid facilitates flexion and extension, and movement towards and away from the midline of the body (abduction and adduction). The joint between the skull and the lower jaw is a typical condyloid joint.
Ball and socket joint allows free and easy movement in all directions. The surface of one bone, which is ball shaped, articulates with the deep depression in another bone. The hip joint is a good example of ball and socket joint where the head of the femur articulates with the deep hollow in the pelvic girdle. Saddle joint which is the sixth type of synovial joint facilitates flexion extension, adduction and abduction. Their shape is like a saddle and surface of one bone is convex. It is exemplified in the joint between the trapezium, one of the carpal bones of the thumb, and the metacarpal bone of the thumb, which allow circular movement.
Joint problems
The Joints in a human body are involved in almost every activity of daily life. Simple movements such as bending, walking and turning require use of hip and knee joints. Thus joints play a vital role in fluid movement of human body and hence require careful attention. But when the joint gets diseased or injured, the resulting pain can severely limit a person’s ability to work and move. One of the main causes of joint pain is arthritis. The “wearing out condition” involving the breakdown of cartilage in the joints is known as Osteoarthritis (OA).The bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness when the cartilage wears away. Individuals having family history of poor joint health usually suffer from osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) causes the synovial joints to become thickened and inflamed and may also affect other organs of the body. Generally, women are more at risk of being affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Post –traumatic Arthritis is caused due to injury to the joint in which the bone and cartilage do not heal properly. These irregularities lead to more wear and tear on the joint surfaces as the joint is no longer smooth. Avascular Necrosis is a condition in which bone is deprived of its normal blood supply. The bone’s structure may collapse and damage the cartilage as it does not get proper nutrition from the blood.
Deformity or direct injury to the joint can also cause severe joint pain. Joint pain can worsen when muscles become weak, causing major difficulties in joint mobility. Inflammation of joint is generally caused by infection, particularly through bacteria known as polymagia rheumatic. Even an old injury can act up causing joint inflammation.
Swollen joints are the result of degenerative or autoimmune processes such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis respectively. Prompt medical attention should be given in case of swollen joints as it can cause infection or long term disability.
Major causes that lead to joint pain
Poor joint health maybe caused due to a variety of factors. Tenderness or discomfort when touched, swelling or inflammation of the area, bruises, restriction of movement, injured ligaments or cartilage and bones, swelling and redness, rheumatic fever, mumps, chicken pox, hepatitis, bursitis, infectious diseases such as influenza etc can all lead to serious joint disorders. The most common cause of painful joints is arthritis. Other types of arthritis can be rheumatoid and septic arthritis.
Obese, over weight people are more at risk of having joint related problems, as bones and joints are under heavy stress and tension due to the extra weight of the body.
Old age is also one of the causes that lead to joint pain as there is loss of muscle mass. If no attention is given to it then the joints, instead of muscles, will absorb more pounding from daily activity, contributing to severe damage.
How to maintain healthy joints
Keeping weight in control is the best way to preserve joints as it helps reduce wear and tears that break down the cartilage. It may also help slow the progression of osteoarthritis overtime. Daily exercise as well as swimming, cycling, walking, stretching can help reduce the stiffness in the joints, keeping the joints healthy and reducing the chances of arthritis by 80%. Weight training also helps in strengthening the muscle and areas surrounding the joints.
Application of ice to the joints can help in reducing pain and swelling. If the synovial fluid sticks around too long after working out, it can cause cracks in the cartilage, ice helps get the fluid out of the joint and into the lymphatic system, which is the garbage disposal of the body.
Proper diet is the key to maintaining a robust, healthy body. Creaky, crackling, swollen, painful joints can be overcome by having a balanced diet. A few dietary tips that can provide relief from joint pain or Arthritis
Deformity or direct injury to the joint can also cause severe joint pain. Joint pain can worsen when muscles become weak, causing major difficulties in joint mobility. Inflammation of joint is generally caused by infection, particularly through bacteria known as polymagia rheumatic. Even an old injury can act up causing joint inflammation.
Swollen joints are the result of degenerative or autoimmune processes such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis respectively. Prompt medical attention should be given in case of swollen joints as it can cause infection or long term disability.
Major causes that lead to joint pain
Poor joint health maybe caused due to a variety of factors. Tenderness or discomfort when touched, swelling or inflammation of the area, bruises, restriction of movement, injured ligaments or cartilage and bones, swelling and redness, rheumatic fever, mumps, chicken pox, hepatitis, bursitis, infectious diseases such as influenza etc can all lead to serious joint disorders. The most common cause of painful joints is arthritis. Other types of arthritis can be rheumatoid and septic arthritis.
Obese, over weight people are more at risk of having joint related problems, as bones and joints are under heavy stress and tension due to the extra weight of the body.
Old age is also one of the causes that lead to joint pain as there is loss of muscle mass. If no attention is given to it then the joints, instead of muscles, will absorb more pounding from daily activity, contributing to severe damage.
How to maintain healthy joints
Keeping weight in control is the best way to preserve joints as it helps reduce wear and tears that break down the cartilage. It may also help slow the progression of osteoarthritis overtime. Daily exercise as well as swimming, cycling, walking, stretching can help reduce the stiffness in the joints, keeping the joints healthy and reducing the chances of arthritis by 80%. Weight training also helps in strengthening the muscle and areas surrounding the joints.
Application of ice to the joints can help in reducing pain and swelling. If the synovial fluid sticks around too long after working out, it can cause cracks in the cartilage, ice helps get the fluid out of the joint and into the lymphatic system, which is the garbage disposal of the body.
Proper diet is the key to maintaining a robust, healthy body. Creaky, crackling, swollen, painful joints can be overcome by having a balanced diet. A few dietary tips that can provide relief from joint pain or Arthritis
- Include all six tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent or ‘puckery’, and pungent in the diet
- Drinking ginger tea at bed time is particularly recommended for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Opt for a high-carbohydrate diet
- Avoid grains that contain gluten (wheat, oats, and rye) and replace them with corn, rice, barley or quinoa
- Cooked vegetables, especially calcium-rich asparagus, kale, and spinach, and cooked dairy products are very useful in countering joint pain
- When joints are sensitive to cold, a diet of warm, light foods such as hot chicken soup is beneficial
- Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids by consuming fish (salmon & tuna), walnuts or ground flaxseeds that help in maintaining low protein in the diet
- Vitamin D can also reduce arthritis by exposing the body in early morning sun
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