What Is Joint Pain & Degeneration?
As you might have been able to tell from the name of this page, joint pain and degeneration is all about your joints. Given we have 360 joints in the human body, and they’re pretty much all in constant use over the course of a day, the cartilage around them, protecting them, can wear away over time.
This causes pain, stiffness and – in some cases – a loss of mobility. While this is most commonly seen in older patients, it can happen to anybody; commonly affecting younger patients in specific joints that they use for repetitive motions, such as typing on a computer. If allowed to worsen, this kind of condition can make it near impossible to complete basic tasks that require the use of your joints, and can lead to severe pain when the joints are used.
What Causes Joint Pain & Degeneration?
As mentioned, osteoarthritis is the most common cause of joint pain and degeneration, but there are some alternative causes. The ones we typically see are:
- Repetitive motion/strain
- Infection
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-injury joint trauma
What Are The Symptoms of Joint Pain & Degeneration?
Because joint pain can be a spectrum, depending on severity and cause, the symptoms may vary. Typically though, they will include pain, tenderness, some swelling, a grating sensation and/or a popping noise when using the joint. All joint pain should be seen by a doctor, but should be considered serious if:
- You have severe joint pain that persists
- You have severe joint swelling that persists
What Are My Treatment Options for Joint Pain & Degeneration?
You use your joints daily to move, complete day-to-day tasks, and you even used your joints to find this webpage. This is why it’s crucial that you treat them correctly – if you experience joint pain and degeneration, this will not stop on its own. This kind of pain requires proper care and pain management to maintain your ease of movement.
Some of the ways your doctor might treat you include:
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – this may be used when your joint degeneration has already reached a severe stage. An electrical current is used to heat up a small area of nerve tissue, with the goal of decreasing or changing the pain signals sent by nerves – essentially preventing the pain being felt.
- Cupping – this natural treatment focuses on placing medical cups on the painful area, which suction the skin. This breaks the tiny blood vessels under the skin, which triggers your body to respond to an injury, stimulating the natural healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Joint Pain & Degeneration
1. What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that happens when your cartilage wears down, leaving the bones rubbing against each other.
2. What is Degenerative Joint Disease?
Degenerative Joint Disease is an alternative name for Osteoarthritis.
3. What is the best treatment for Osteoarthritis?
The best treatment for Osteoarthritis will vary depending on the severity and location of your case. To find out what would be most effective for you, schedule a free consultation {link scheduling tool}
