Regular Exercise is Important for Joint Health

We need our joints to move, and we need them to be healthy to move well and pain-free. However, as we age, healthy joints are more difficult to maintain. This unfortunate side effect of aging leads to discomfort and limited ability to move freely. Getting regular exercise is a crucial aspect of protecting your joint health. Below we discuss the importance of joint health, how exercise is key for maintaining smooth, painless movement of your joints, and when it's time to see a doctor.

Understanding the Joints

At the junction of two bones, is a joint. Joints allow movement. If we didn’t have joints, we wouldn’t be walking around or bending our knees, hips, and elbows. There are several types of joints; the ones you are probably most familiar with are ball-and-socket joints at the hip and shoulder or hinge joints at the knee and elbow.

These joints allow for varying degrees of movement. Ball-and-socket joints allow far more motion than a hinge joint, which primarily bends and straightens. Joints connect bone to bone through connective tissue such as ligaments and in most cases, a cartilaginous articular capsule surrounding the joint.

Inside this capsule, your joints are bathed in synovial fluid excreted by the capsule which lubricates the joints and enables smooth movement. Synovial fluid also delivers nutrients to the joint, so it is best to move the joints daily to nourish the entire joint.

The Relationship between Movement and Joint Health

The best thing you can do to maintain joint health is to exercise regularly. Exercise, and movement in general, distribute the synovial fluid within the joint, lubricating it. As we age, the synovial fluid decreases and dries up, resulting in more friction on joints when they move. This leaves them susceptible to injury. Engaging in regular exercise helps maintain the integrity of your joints.

Low-impact workouts are a great way to keep your joints healthy. Low-impact exercise has the benefit of moving the joints and distributing synovial fluid keeping them flexible, lubricated, and nourished. And they’re wonderful for individuals starting a new exercise program or existing joint issues. Cycling, walking, and swimming are good, low-impact workouts for joint pain. They promote flexibility and strength without causing additional strain on your joints.

Long-Term Abnormalities? Seek Medical Help

You may do everything “right” to keep your joints happy and healthy, but injuries still occur. And some people will develop chronic joint pain as they age without a known reason. If you can relate, it's best to seek professional care from an orthopedist like Dr. Burke. He specializes in the care of your joints and emphasizes the importance of early detection to prevent joint damage from worsening.

If you have been experiencing joint pain for some time, particularly if it worsens with activity, a thorough evaluation by a professional is in order. While low-impact workouts can often help joint pain, they might not address underlying issues that require medical attention. Dr. Burke can identify the root cause of the problem and recommend treatment accordingly.

For inquiries, please call us at (713) 436-3488, or visit our website at https://drburkeortho.com/contact-us/ to send us an email.