Joint pain can be caused by a number of different conditions, the most prevalent being arthritis. If it is severe it can keep your day-to-day activities and your favorite hobbies. In general, 70% of older adults reported currently experiencing joint pain or have experienced it at some point in the past. However, due to the widespread nature of joint pain, there are a variety of treatment options available for all kinds of joint pain. Whether you are exhibiting painful hip, knee, or back joint symptoms, there are joint care options that can get you back to the quality of life you deserve.
At BEST Health System, we treat a number of joint conditions as well as other orthopaedic conditions. Our goal is to get patients back to the quality of life they deserve. We believe patient education is one of the first steps in any treatment plan as it allows patients to make the most educated decision when creating a treatment plan.
Common Causes for Joint Pain
The most common cause of joint pain is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when the protective gel around your joints is worn down due to everyday wear and tear. Cartilage keeps your bones from coming in contact with each other but when this is worn and bones touch it can cause debilitating pain. Other common causes of joint pain include:
- Tendon Injuries
- Ligament Injuries
- Gout
- Injured Meniscus
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Frozen Shoulder
Five Joint Care Facts You Should Know
Living with joint pain can be difficult so being educated on joint care can be beneficial for you as a patient in the long run. It also makes it easier to develop a treatment plan with your doctor. Consider the following facts about joint care you should know.
1. Stay Active
Joint stiffness can be reduced by staying active. Avoid staying in one position for too long during the day by moving around frequently. Walking, swimming, cycling, strength training, and stretching are low-impact exercises that can help keep your joints mobile and even lose some weight. Whenever you exercise, you should take it slowly at first and wear proper protective equipment, if necessary, to protect your joints.
2. Maintaining a Healthy Weight is Important
It is not widely known that for every pound of body weight, there is four pounds of pressure at the knee and three pounds at the hip so being overweight places extra strain on your joints. And according to the Arthritis Foundation, every pound of excess weight you carry results in an additional four pounds of extra pressure on your weight-bearing joints. You can reduce your risk of joint damage by maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the amount of stress on your joints.
3. Correct Posture
It is important to maintain a proper posture to reduce the risk of injury to your joints and surrounding muscles. In order to prevent a painful injury or damage to your joints, you should be aware of your posture while performing repetitive motions, sitting, or standing.
4. Be Sure to Maintain a Healthy Diet
Healthy eating may improve your joint health and help you lose excess weight. Lean proteins can help you build strong muscles. Calcium and Vitamin D-fortified foods, such as dairy products, can help you maintain strong bones. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, such as salmon and mackerel, can reduce joint inflammation. in addition, you can also consume foods like tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, berries, and nuts to help with inflammation.
5. Listen to Your Body
There is no need to suffer from joint pain when it strikes. There are simple ways to alleviate joint pain but the first step to do so is to understand what brought on the pain.
You may ask yourself “was it because I tried something new? or “was it because I pushed too hard?” If so, take a few days off and try again. Be sure to listen to your body and be self-aware of when you need rest.
If you have joint pain, you may find it helpful to wear a compression sleeve after exercise and ice after exercise. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can help if it persists. Be sure to work with your doctor to figure out what medication is best to treat your joint pain.
BEST Can Help
BEST takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities and patient care. We believe the patient’s experience is just as important as the treatment a patient receives. In addition, we offer imaging services on-site with our all-inclusive MRI and offer treatment such as physical therapy programs and minimally invasive procedures.
When it comes to joint care, surgery as a last resort treatment option typically only considered when conservative treatment proves ineffective. Our minimally invasive procedures are performed by our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Girton and Dr. Abbott. The minimally invasive procedure at BEST employs muscle-sparing techniques. This means we use an incision which is typically less than an inch. This allows for a shorter recovery time and less risk of complication and eliminates the need for an overnight hospital stay.
If you’d like to learn more about joint pain treatment or the procedures at BEST, contact us today!
