Arthrosis - causes of joint pain

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and can affect all joints. It is a degenerative joint disease. The cartilage layer on the joint surfaces is increasingly destroyed - the adjacent bone areas change, the affected joint becomes less mobile. The joints become inflamed, can swell and become painful.

Arthrosis can have the following causes:

• Age-related joint wear (joint wear)
• Overloading of the joints
• Incorrect loading

Age-related joint wear (joint wear)

Age-related wear and tear of the joints is the most common cause of osteoarthritis. One reason for this is the body's decreasing production of hyaluronic acid as we age. This changes the composition, viscosity and amount of synovial fluid in the joint space. The moisturizing and supply of nutrients to the cartilage tissue decreases, the shock-absorbing function of the cartilage decreases and promotes joint wear. The friction in the joints due to the destroyed cartilage tissue leads to pain during movement and inflammation in the joints. According to the latest research, the hormonal changes associated with women's menopause can also promote joint wear and tear in old age.

Overloading of the joints

Overload in sports

Excessive joint wear can also occur if the joints have been overloaded for a long time. This can occur due to excessive physical exertion through hard training or heavy weights during weight training. Incorrectly performed exercises can also place additional strain on the joints through atypical movements in the joints. These effects are greater the more weights are used in the exercises. In these cases, the body's own regeneration through the formation of new synovial fluid and the supply of nutrients to the joints is no longer sufficient to compensate for the excessive strain on the cartilage tissue.

Overwork at work and in everyday life

One-sided strain on the joints in everyday working life is also a common cause of joint pain. This includes heavy lifting, one-sided movements in the joints, e.g. through assembly line work, or strain on the joints due to posture when working, e.g. when laying tiles. Members of skilled trades such as bricklayers, roofers or construction workers in civil engineering are very often affected by joint pain. Nurses and geriatric nurses are also exposed to heavy strain on the joints, as their everyday working life involves a lot of movement and heavy lifting. Here, too, the body's own regeneration of the joints is not able to keep up.

Incorrect loading

In some cases, osteoarthritis is also the result of an accident, ligament damage or a congenital weakness or malformation of the joints. Both the misalignment of the joints and damaged ligaments and joints due to accidents lead to irregular processes in the joints and thus promote joint wear.

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis, which is caused by joint wear and tear, can have many causes, including age-related wear and tear, excessive strain from sport or work, and incorrect strain due to accidents or congenital problems. The associated pain and limitations are often very noticeable. It is important to protect the joints, ensure that the strain is balanced, and to seek medical help in good time if you experience any problems in order to best support the aging process of the joints and maintain quality of life.