Other Causes of Joint Pain

In addition to the components of the joint itself, there are outside structures that contribute to strength and flexibility. These structures include muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help facilitate movement and provide stability to the moving bones. There are also a number of sacs called bursae that contain synovial fluid and provide extra cushioning.

The joint is a complex organization of structures that work closely together to produce the movements needed for all activities; an injury to any part of this organization can have a profound effect on daily living. If left untreated, the malfunctioning structure will quickly cause more problems in the other parts of the joint as they try to compensate for the injury.

Due to the progressive nature of arthritic diseases, early diagnosis is essential to avoiding more serious problems that require aggressive treatments. Once treatment is started, maintaining an active lifestyle is important to the health and function of the joint. Regular activity and exercise help to:

• Move the synovial fluid in and out of the joint space, bringing essential nutrients in and moving waste materials out.
• Strengthen the surrounding muscles, helping take some of the pressure off the joint.