Joint Pain I

Pain and joints. What's the connection?

Joints involve several different parts and a basic understanding of how a joint is put together can give you an idea of which part can hurt and why.

A joint is where two or more bones meet. Joints in the body have different ranges of movement. Some are only slightly moveable, like the joints in your back where the vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs which have an outer rim of cartilage and a central core of shock absorbing, material. While each of the joints in the spine has very limited movement, the movement of the spinal column as a whole are quite extensive, especially at the top (cervical) and bottom (lumbar) spine.

The most common type of joints in the body are the highly moveable ones, like the hip, elbow and knee joint. These are called synovial joints. These joints are made up of bone covered with 'articular cartilage', a 'joint space' and a 'joint capsule' that encloses the joint.

The articular cartilage is a smooth, strong material that covers the ends of each bone. It is an important part of the joint and has two essential functions. Firstly, it allows smooth and effortless movement, and secondly it acts as a shock absorber. Any damage to the cartilage, due to age, injuries or diseases such as arthritis, can cause pain and reduce the mobility of the joint.

The joint space is filled with synovial fluid which protects and lubricates the joint. The joint is also strengthened by ligaments - strong bands of fibres, which connect from one bone to another around the joint.

What causes joint pain?

Pain in the area of a joint can occur if any of the soft tissue structures that surround the joint, such as the tendons, ligaments or muscles are injured. Pain can also be caused by damage within the joint itself. For example, arthritis-related problems can cause joint pain. Whilst arthritis is often referred to as a single disease, it is in fact an umbrella term for a number of medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. Less serious arthritis can cause joint pain due to stiffness and inflammation, which may slow you down and interfere with basic daily tasks. People with more serious arthritic conditions should always consult their doctor for advice.

Where Does it Hurt?

Pain can vary from mild discomfort to strong pain. It occurs when body tissue becomes inflamed or is damaged. This stimulates local pain sensors which trigger the central nervous system and cause you to feel pain. This is a natural part of the body's defence system and is designed to slow you down to try and help minimise further harm.
The causes of pain are many and varied, but there are a few common conditions that most of us will experience at some stage in our lives.