ARTHROSIS

What is the cause of joint pain?

Joints are anatomical structures that join two bones or a bone and a cartilage. They are stabilized by ligaments, and thanks to the muscles, joints have, to a greater or lesser extent, a certain mobility. Although we commonly speak of joints when referring to those with greater mobility (diarthrosis), all joints between bones or bones and cartilage are joints. A clear example of a joint with hardly any mobility (synarthrosis) are the joints between the bones of the skull.

Joint pain, also called arthralgia, can be due to different factors, the most common being joint diseases themselves. But it can also be a symptom of some types of cancer such as bone cancer or leukemia.

If you experience joint pain, it is very important to see a rheumatologist or your trusted physician. By determining the possible origin of the pain and once the diagnosis has been made, measures can be taken to remedy it, prevent future complications and rule out other causes.

Common joint diseases:

Joint pain, or joint pain, can be caused by diseases or injuries, becoming a major discomfort and can even cause disability. Generally speaking, the most common diseases that affect the joints are:

Arthritis: The suffix itits refers to “inflammation”. Therefore, arthritis is an inflammation of the joint that can be due to different causes. There are different types of arthritis, which we define below:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): It is of autoimmune origin, i.e. the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissues of the joint, causing swelling and intense pain. Although its cause is currently unknown, certain risk factors are known, such as sex (it affects women more frequently), smoking or genetic factors.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): The adjective “idiopathic” means that although there are several possible causes, none of them can be proven. JIA is more common in girls than in boys and is also autoimmune in origin. With appropriate pharmacological treatment the disease is usually cured without sequelae.

Osteoarthritis: The suffix osis refers to “disease”. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, which means that in its natural process there is a continuous degeneration of the joint cells. In its early stages, it can be detected at the cellular level, which allows early pharmacological treatment to slow down the progression of degeneration. Osteoarthritis is common in advanced age, but it can be prevented by maintaining a correct weight, physical activity and a correct diet. It may present with intercurrent inflammatory flare-ups.

Osteomyelitis: This is a bone infection that can also affect the joints causing severe pain. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi or other germs. Diabetes, surgeries involving bones, a bone injury or a weakened immune system are the main risk factors.

If you experience any type of joint pain, do not hesitate to visit us to prevent future complications. Proper follow-up and early diagnosis of possible diseases can improve your quality of life for years to come.