Why Your Joints May Hurt as You Grow Old
Some age-related changes are natural, such as gray hair and wrinkles. While it’s been thought that joint-related issues were just a part of aging, many of these issues come from disuse later in life.
Whether you’re enjoying a slower pace in life or are experiencing mobility issues, learn about the most common issues aging Americans face, and how we can help.
Why Do Joints Become Stiffer With Age?
The bones that make up your joints are cushioned by cartilage, synovial membranes and synovial fluid, so the bones don’t touch and the joint stays lubricated. As we age, our cartilage becomes thinner and we lose synovial fluid. This causes our joints to become stiffer, making exercising to the level we’re used to difficult. Over time, this can lead to chronic muscle, bone, and joint pain conditions, such as:
Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage within our bones breaks down, causing pain. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system attacks its own tissues — causing inflammation in the joints. It can affect every area of the body from your hands to your feet.
If left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint deformity and bone erosion. There is no cure for this condition, but regular treatment can ease your symptoms.
Osteoporosis
This condition occurs when your bones become weak and brittle. Typically, our bones are constantly making new bone tissue, but patients with osteoporosis are unable to reproduce this tissue efficiently. This makes suffering from a fracture much more likely and makes the recovery process much slower.
Many aging adults don’t realize they are having trouble with their bone density until they break a bone — and osteoporosis is diagnosed afterwards.
Osteomalacia
This condition forms as a result of a lack of vitamin D and a slower metabolism — which causes the bones to become soft. Celiac disease, kidney or liver disorders, some surgeries, and certain drugs can also cause osteomalacia.
Newport Beach Pain Management
Many joint-related issues can be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise schedule. However, some chronic pain issues cannot be improved without some additional assistance — that’s where our team comes in.
No matter the reason, when you’re living with joint pain, the team at Regenerative Institute of Newport Beach is here to help. We offer state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical treatments for chronic pain and rehabilitation. Contact us today to learn more.