Make Bone and Joint Health a Priority

Bones and joints let people move and go about their daily lives, making it vital to keep them in good health. Some of the most common bone and joint diseases are avoidable or can be minimized through healthy lifestyle and early detection.

The human body contains 206 bones. Bones are living tissue , just like all the other parts of our bodies and, as such, are constantly going through a cycle of renewal. Older bone tissue is replaced with newly formed bone tissue in a process called remodeling. Much like the remodeling of a home, our skeletal structure is reinforced so that we can depend on it throughout our lives. We commonly measure the condition of our bones by its density or “bone mass.” A bone mineral density (BMD) screening, for example, can help a physician identify the calcium content of bones – and thus how strong our bones

are. Our bone density peaks when we are young adults, typically between the ages of 25 and 30. Thereafter, as we continue to age, our bones gradually lose density. But there are ways to combat this natural loss of bone mass – such as vitamins and minerals, medications like estrogen replacement therapy , and strength-training and weight-bearing exercises. Bones and joints play a pivotal role in giving the body its physical capabilities, including a wide range of movements. Clearly, bone and joint health are valuable investments, especially toward one's senior years. Neglecting them could result in chronic pains and potential disability.

Difference Between Bones and Joints While bones and joints have a linked relationship and function almost similarly in the body, these two (2) are distinct.

Bones are living tissue made up of collagen and calcium phosphate, making them strong yet flexible. This composition provides shape and support to the body. Aside from contributing to the body's movement, bones also act as a shield for softer organs, best demonstrated by the ribs in the chest for the heart and lungs, and the skull protecting the brain. Bones also serve as storage for minerals and help regulate blood sugar levels. Joints are areas where two or more bones meet, comprising several types of tissues, such as cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments, tendons, and meniscus, as well as a fluid thatenables mobility in the joint.

Common Bone Disorders

1. Osteoporosis

This common disease occurs when bones become weak

due to changes in bone mineral density and mass,

causing a higher risk for fractures. Osteoporosis is known

as a “silent” disease as there are no obvious symptoms

until a bone actually breaks. These fractures can occur

anywhere, but typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Although anyone can develop this disease, osteoporosis

is more prevalent in older women. Aside from aging,

additional risk factors include being of small stature,

family history, certain medications, and having low bone

density.

2. Fracture

A fracture is a break in a bone which occurs when it is put

under sudden or very strong pressure or force. This

covers falls, a direct impact on the body, and sports-

related injuries.

People at high risk of getting fractures are the elderly,

individuals with osteoporosis and endocrine or intestinal

disorders, and those taking corticosteroids. There are

several types of fractures but are usually classified as

closed or open, and incomplete or complete.

·Closed/Open fractures

A closed or simple fracture is when the broken bone does

not break the skin. Conversely, an open or compound

fracture happens when the ends of a fractured bone tear

through the skin. Open fractures that expose the bone and

other tissues put the injured at greater risk of infection.

·Incomplete/Complete fractures

Incomplete fractures are when the bone cracks without

breaking completely, keeping it in one piece. Complete

fractures, meanwhile, happen when the bone is snapped

or crushed into two or more pieces.

Both types have a slew of variations, depending on how

the bone breaks and its condition after breakage.

3. Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine resulting in

an S or C shape. The disorder often occurs in a child's

growth spurt before puberty, with cases usually diagnosed

in the first seven years. In around 80% of scoliosis cases,

no identifiable causes are found, though it may happen

due to birth defects, neurological abnormalities, and

genetic conditions

Symptoms of scoliosis depend on the severity of the

condition, including having one shoulder blade higher or

more protrusive than the other, uneven hips, a rotating

spine, breathing problems, and back pain.

4. Paget's disease

Paget's disease is a chronic disorder that affects the way

that bones break down and regrow. This results in

excessive breakdown and regrowth, leading to bones that

are bigger and softer than usual. Paget's disease may

also cause bones to grow misshapen and more prone to

fracturing.Symptoms of Paget's disease rarely manifest, and when

they do, they can be similar to that of arthritis. These

include pain in the affected area, headaches and hearing

loss (if the disorder affects the skull), pressure on the

nerves (if the skull or spine is affected), damage to the

cartilage in the joints, increased head size, limb bowing,

and spine curvature.

Common Joint Disorders

1. Osteoarthritis

One of the most common joint disorders, osteoarthritis

arises when the cartilage between two joints is worn

down. This causes the bones in the joint to rub together,

causing swelling and stiffness in the area.

Symptoms typically occur way into adulthood, with the

average person over 60 displaying some of the symptoms.

Risk factors for this disorder include age, weight,

frequency and intensity of joint activity, sports that directly

affect the joint, and family history.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory

disease that causes the body's immune system to attack

healthy cells mistakenly, leading to inflammation or

painful swelling in the affected area. It can attack multiple

joints at once, usually the hands, wrists, and knees, and

damage the joint tissue, leading to chronic pain, lack of

balance or instability, and deformities.

Signs of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and stiffness in

multiple joints, as well as tenderness and swelling.

These will occur symmetrically on both sides of the body,like in both wrists or both knees. Other symptoms are

weight loss, fever, fatigue, and weakness.

While the primary cause of the disorder is unknown, factors

like age, gender, genetics, exposure to smoking at a young

age, and obesity have been linked to an increased risk of

contracting it.

3. Gout

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis marked by

intense pain and caused by too much uric acid in the body.

Uric acid crystals build up in the joints and surrounding

tissues in the body. This disorder typically affects one joint

at a time, usually the one connecting the big toe. Other

commonly afflicted joints are the lesser toe joints, ankles,

and knees.

Symptoms like intense pain, swelling, redness, and heat

are known to get worse (“flares”) or disappear (“remission”)

entirely. Repeated instances of gout may lead to gouty

arthritis, a severe form of arthritis.

Increased risk factors include gender, obesity, certain health

conditions, use of certain medications like diuretics, an

increased intake of alcohol and high-fructose food and

drink, and a purine-rich diet.

4. Bursitis

This disorder is characterized by the inflammation of the

bursa, the small fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion

between the bone and other moving parts like muscles,

tendons, joints, or skin. The bursa may turn red and

increase in fluid content, leading to painful swelling.Bursitis is caused by overuse or an increased activity level

involving the joint. Trauma or a complication from

rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection may also be a culprit

, although there are cases of bursitis where no cause can

be determined.

Symptoms include pain and tenderness when pressing

around the joint, stiffness and aches when moving the

afflicted joint, and swelling, warmth, or redness over the

joint itself.

5.Bone Infection: Also called osteomyelitis, infection of

bone tissue is a rare but serious condition. It can occur

following a surgery, such as a hip replacement, or may

spread to the bones from another part of the body. Pain,

swelling, and redness are common symptoms of a bone

infection, and antibiotics are a common component of

treatment. In some cases, portions of the infected bone

may need to be surgically removed

6.Osteonecrosis: Without blood, bone tissue dies, a

disease called osteonecrosis. In most cases, it occurs as

the result of trauma to the bone that disrupts blood flow to

the bone – such as a hip fracture. Prolonged high-dose

steroid use can also cause this type of bone cell death.

Once the bone tissue dies, the bone weakens and collapses

. Pain that gradually gets worse may indicate osteonecrosis.

7.Bone Tumors: Bone tumors occur when the uncontrolled

growth of cells occurs inside bone. These tumors can be

benign or malignant, although benign (noncancerous) bone

tumors that do not impinge on other bone tissue and do

not spread are more common..8.Low Bone Density: Also called osteopenia, it is diagnosed

when a person's bone density is lower than it should be.

Low bone density can lead to osteoporosis, which causes

fractures, pain, and a stooped appearance. It is important to

make the changes necessary to improve bone density if you

are diagnosed with osteopenia.

Treatment and Prevention

Treating various bone and joint diseases will depend on their

nature. Fractures will need emergency medical attention,

and if the injury is severe, it may require surgery. Other

disorders may require surgery as well, or medication for

less severe or chronic afflictions. Bracing, ortho visits,

physical medical rehabilita