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Joint Health

    What Are Joints?

    Standing, bending, climbing, walking, running, jumping, lifting a baby -- so many of our daily activities require healthy, functional joints. While some joints (like the knees) provide stability, others (like the wrists, ankles and hips) enable us to move. Learn how to protect your joints from injury and keep your joints healthy for life. 

    How Joints Work

    What Causes Joint Pain?

    Sometimes, the source of joint pain is clear -- a fall or other trauma is to blame. In other cases, there is no obvious cause. Read on for some of the common causes of joint pain and learn factors you can control for pain relief. 

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    Injuries

    Physical trauma to bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments or cartilage can cause joint pain. These injuries include dislocations, fractures or sprains.

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    Arthritis

    More than 100 disorders fall under the heading of arthritis -- a catch-all term for inflammation (pain and swelling) of a joint. The most common are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis and juvenile arthritis (JA).

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    Autoimmune Disease

    An autoimmune disease is an infection or disorder that causes the body's immune system to attack its own healthy tissue. Some common autoimmune diseases that cause joint pain include lupus, lyme disease and scleroderma.

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    Lifestyle

    Our daily habits affect our health, and that includes our joints. Obesity, poor posture, and improper technique in sports and exercise all can lead to joint pain and injury.

    Ease Joint Pain

    Relieve discomfort and prevent long-term damage.

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    Treatment Options

    Healthy Joints for Life

    If you suffer from joint pain, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight and find the right forms of exercise that will take pressure off your joints. Get started with these joint-friendly tips. 

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    Connect with others for advice and answers on the health topics that matter most to you.

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    What's Causing Your Joint Pain?

    Talk to your doc

    Save Your Joints

    Test your joint health knowledge     		28%
    Percentage of U.S. adults who report
    having joint pain
    Center for Disease Control and Prevention
    View all 31 joint health experts

    Bone and Joint Health Q&As

    Rick Olderman, MSPT
    Rick Olderman, MSPT
    Physical Therapy
    		 Q

    What can cause stress on the knee and hip joints?
    A

    When a leg bone is rotated out, the feet will usually have to follow by pointing slightly outward too. If instead the feet point straight ahead (which we are all taught to do when walking and running)…


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    Q What causes noisy joints? Q What does it mean if my joints pop?
    Q How can good posture help protect my joints? Q Why does my knee hurt when the weather changes?
    Q Why is resistance training good for your joints? Q Why are knee joints so vulnerable to breakdown with aging?
    Q Why is your hip joint so important-and especially prone to fracture? Q How do tight stiff muscles affect my joints?
    Q What are spinal joints? Q How do weak muscles affect my joints?
    See all related joint health Q&As

    Joint Pain Action Plans

    Don't let joint aches go undiagnosed or untreated. Use these steps to find out what's causing your pain.


    Walk Backwards For Joint Health
    Do You Have Osteoarthritis?
    Do You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis?
    How Old Are Your Joints?
    Getting Enough Pain Relief?

    Connect with an Expert

    Travis M. Hendry, MD
    Travis M. Hendry, MD
    Orthopedic Surgery
    Summit Orthopedics
    Vonda Wright, MD
    Vonda Wright, MD
    Orthopedic Surgery
    University of Pittsburgh

    Find a joint health expert near you

     

    What’s Your RealAge?

    Find out how your joints are affecting your RealAge and receive a custom action plan to grow younger.




    Take the RealAge Test
    Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide
    Talk to Your Doctor about RA

    Understand the Pain Game

    Understand the Pain Game

    Does Your Pain Point to Arthritis?

    When do morning shoulder aches and throbbing knees mean something more? Find out if your symptoms could signal arthritis. 


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    Joint Care 101

    Joint Care 101

    3 Tips to Protect Your Joints

    Start saving your joints today. Practice these healthy lifestyle habits and keep your joints strong for years to come.


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    Blog

    Secrets to Drug-Free Pain Relief
    By Matthew McCarty, MD

    Matthew McCarty, MD, treats serious pain. Many of the people who end up in his office have spent months or even years trying to manage their chronic pain with medication—and therein lies the problem, according to Dr. McCarty.


    Read more

    Related Topics

    • Arthritis • Scoliosis
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Muscle and Connective Tissue Conditions
    • Gout • Rheumatoid Arthritis

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