Sore Joints

A joint is the point where two or more bones meet in the body. Their meeting enables movement and provides mechanical support structurally and functionally. Sore joint is a problem in which movement of a particular joint is restricted due to the development of pain in and around the joint. Along with pain, other symptoms like redness, inflammation, tenderness, and stiffness are also observed. Life becomes tough as it is extremely difficult to carry to out daily activities with a constant feeling of pain. If you are suffering from sore joints or you know someone facing this problem, the following information may be helpful to you.

Sore or Aching Joints

→ Causes

Joints don't just facilitate movement with the help of connective tissue, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and fluid, but also serve to absorb shock caused due to injury or jerks. As all our bones are connected with each other at some juncture within our skeletal frame, we are susceptible to an occurrence of sore joints in hands and/or other parts of the body. Joints can become sore due to a number of reasons.

• Injury
  Injury to the joints can cause sore joints and muscles. Most joint injuries due to sports result from a ligament tear or dislocation of the knee or elbow cap. Joints can become sore if the fluid-filled sacs get injured, inflamed or ruptured. A shoulder pull is also a very painful reason for a sore joint.
• Arthritis
  Sore joint is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis. Joints and surrounding bones start deteriorating with age, causing them to inflame. Osteoporosis is another condition where the bones become weak and brittle, further weakening the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and bones.
• Gout and Tendinitis
  Other health conditions like gout and tendinitis too can cause sore joints. In gout, uric acid does not get flushed out of the system and accumulates in the joints in the form of urate crystal causing soreness, swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. Tendinitis occurs when tendons, the fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones become inflamed and swell due to repetitive joint motions for long durations.
• Fatigue
  Sore joints fatigue is a term used in reference to soreness caused in joints due to fatigue, which can be either caused due to inadequate nutrition, inadequate exercise, or an activity where a particular joint gets excessively worked upon. Essential minerals and vitamins like calcium, potassium, protein, vitamin D, etc., are needed for bone and joint maintenance as nutrient-rich foods can provide bone, cartilage and other connective tissues nutrition to fix bone damage.
• Pregnancy
  Sore joints during and after pregnancy is common. As pregnancy advances, a woman's lower body especially knees and ankles have to bear excessive weight. This leads not only to pain in the joints but also swelling of muscles surrounding them. In most cases, this form of sore joint pain gets eased as the weight begins to wear off.
• Excessive or No Exercise
  Athletes usually suffer from some joint pain due to their excess endurance training. Even those who exercise without consultation or basic knowledge can end up hurting themselves and causing sore joints. No exercising is also another reason for sore joints.
• Obesity
  Obese people find it difficult to sustain weight or pressure on the joints, eventually leading to soreness or pain.

→ Treatment

Since sore joints restrict activity, it is essential to get it treated so that one can perform routine work. This condition requires medical consultation by a physician who then prescribes treatment options to the concerned person depending on the severity of the problem. Following measures can be adopted for treating sore joints.

• Physical Therapy: A therapist makes use of techniques like electrical nerve stimulation, heat and cold treatment etc., to manage joint pain and restricted motion.
• Pain Relievers: Pain killers like NSAIDs ar prescribed to relieve the patient of moderate to severe pain.
• Topical Preparations and Injections: Preparations containing capsaicin are applied topically to treat sore joints. Those who do not respond to topical and oral preparations are prescribed steroid medications which are injected in the joint for treatment.

→ Home Remedies

Sore joints can be managed by following a few simple home remedies. These remedies are easy to follow and are good for providing temporary relief. However, one must not simply rely only on these tips for complete cure of the condition.

• Apply heat and ice alternatively to the affected joint. This will help in reducing pain and inflammation and provide relief.
• Add Epsom salt to a bucket of warm water and have a bath with it. Warm water will relax the muscles and tendons, and the salt will help in decreasing pain.
• Practice light exercises to strengthen and maintain movement in sore joints.
• Lose weight if you are obese because this is one of the causes of sore joints.
• Eat a healthy diet and try to incorporate ginger, broccoli, fish oil and turmeric in the diet, as these are believed to be beneficial for this problem.
• Wrap the joint with a brace to protect it from further injury.
• Avoid performing activities that elevate pain and swelling in and around the sore joint.

Sore joints can cause enormous problems not just due to the pain it causes, but due to the loss of functionality and movement. Hence, when one notices a symptom of stiffness, pain or swelling around any particular joint, it is imperative to call upon a doctor immediately.