A joint is a connection of two bones. Everywhere in our body where two bones meet, a joint is formed. Damaging a joint can affect very important structures that support and hold the joint’s two connecting surfaces together. Our medical professionals can help you heal your injury and help you recover faster.
Joint Conditions
Related articles:
Joint Pain
Types of joint pain
Inflammation in Joints
Inflammation indicates that your body is trying to repair the injured tissue. However, you are still at risk of developing an abnormal inflammatory response when healing of the injured tissue is hindered or the damage to the tissue increases. The noticeable swelling is caused by the increase in the number of cells in that joint. More damage to the tissue will cause the swelling to increase and by extension you will experience greater pain.
Treatment of inflammation in joints
Medications such as any NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that are available over the counter are effective at relieving the pain. These medications include: Cataflam or K-Fenak, (Diclofenac or Ibrufen based medications)
A physiotherapist uses Ultrasound, Laser, STIMS and other joint mobilisation techniques which are targeted to the specific joint.
Joint Dislocation
A dislocated joint happens when the bones and joint surfaces are shifted to abnormal positions compared to their normal position. A great amount of force is necessary to dislocate a joint. This disruption of bone and joint positions in relation to each other, significantly damages the connecting surfaces and ligaments (responsible for holding the surfaces together).
Never try to relocate a joint to its natural position with force. Rather seek urgent medical assistance. Medical practitioners relocate a joint without risking permanent damage to vital arteries and nerves running inside the joint. Attempting it yourself could seriously compromise the blood flow to your joint.
Treatment of dislocated joint
A physiotherapist first assesses the extent of the damage before advising on treatment. The faster you get treatment, the better your chances are of making a full recovery.
Degeneration of Joints
Over time, your joints will show increased wear and tear. Degeneration happens to all our joints after years of use and abuse. As the surfaces slide and glide over one another they get worn out (like the tires on a car). In some cases, joints start to degenerate at a young age. Accelerated degeneration can be causes by trauma or severe damage to a joint.
Treatment of degeneration of joints
Temporary solution is taking chronic anti-inflammatory medication (Arcoxia or Cerebrex). A A long-term solution includes assessing the damage to the joint and re-distributing the forces running over the joint. This is done by strengthening or shortening certain muscles. Additionally, physiotherapists can help adjusting your posture to reduce the load and demand placed on that joint. However, no quick fix exists.
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Locking Joints
If your joints have locked up, you will be unable to move through your full range of movement. It will feel as if your joint gets stuck or is limited in its range of movement. A locked joint occurs when the ‘cushions’ between the joint surfaces get damaged. Alternatively, the membrane on the inside of the joint gets trapped when you move into a specific position.
Treatment of Locking joints
Physiotherapist test these structures through stress tests (on the joint surfaces). A physiotherapist will explain the results of the tests and could recommend an additional Sonar, Ultrasound, CT scan or MRI in cases where further investigation is necessary.
Clicking Joints
Clicking joints are sign of instability. However, there is no immediate danger. Experiencing pain as the joint click could indicate significant damage to the tendons and ligaments surrounding the joint. Physiotherapist reproduce the clicking during a session and determine the extent of the damage to the joint capsule, ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint. Traditionally, you have to complete muscle specific exercises (as directed by your physiotherapist) to strengthen the affected joint. These exercises also help to prevent the snapping of a tendon over bone.
Swollen Joint
Swelling inside a joint is normal for 3 days after injury has occurred. Your body will keep sending inflammatory cells into the joint until it is satisfied that injured tissue is repaired. But in some cases the inflammatory cells cannot repair the injured tissue. If the swelling is visibly blue in colour, it indicates that severe trauma has happened and that the arteries and veins have torn. This kind of tearing results in the blood pooling inside a joint.
Sudden joint pain
(develop within a day)
- Sharp sudden pain
- Worse when moving as compared to static positions
- Pain when doing a specific moment
- Muscle tightness surrounding sharp pain
- Pulling feeling when stretched/moved
- With or without swelling
- Pinching feeling at end of range
- Unable to pinpoint it to one specific spot
Progressive joint pain
(develop over a few days/weeks)
- Dull ache over a large area
- Sharp sudden pain
- Worse in static positions as compared to movement
- Pain through entire range of movement
- Unable to find a pain-free position
- Slight loss of muscle strength
- Dull pain when stretched
- Little swelling
- Unable to find a comfortable position to sit, stand/ lie down
- Unable to pinpoint it to one specific spot
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