10 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor About Joint Health
Your skeletal system contains a wide variety of joints, all of which are key physical points of connection between two bones. Your joints allow for both movement and the body’s stability, but as you age, these joints may begin to wear down. Promoting joint strength is important and these 10 questions can help you better understand joint health to keep you moving forward.
1. How does aging affect my joints?
One-third of adults over the age of 60 develop arthritis. In a joint, bones do not directly touch as they are cushioned by cartilage. This natural shock absorber deteriorates with age, causing the synovial membrane that keeps your joints healthy to thicken. Fluid can then accumulate in the joints, and ligaments may begin to shorten and lose flexibility, making joints feel stiff.
Many age-related changes to joints are caused by a lack of exercise. Being inactive causes the cartilage to shrink and stiffen, reducing joint mobility. Overusing a joint throughout your life can also speed up cartilage deterioration. Trauma, injury, and poor posture may cause bones to become misaligned, providing additional causes of excessive wear on joint tissues.
2. Is there a link between bone density loss and joint pain?
Since bones are integral parts of every joint, many individuals with joint pain question whether there is a relationship between loss of bone density and joint deterioration. Research has found that some immune-mediated joint conditions can be associated with a higher risk of bone loss. Additionally, certain medications used to help relieve joint discomfort can have serious effects on bone health and severe joint pain can lead to inactivity, which in turn contributes to bone density loss.
3. What factors contribute to poor joint health?
Joints naturally wear down with use as you age, but with the proper diet, exercise, and preventative actions like taking joint health supplements, you can maintain joint health longer. Along with age, there are several factors that influence joint health.
- Gender: Estrogen plays a role in cartilage protection. Therefore, women have a greater risk of developing joint issues after menopause as estrogen levels drop.
- Ethnicity: Certain ethnicities show a higher risk of developing joint issues, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Native American.
- Family history: Genetics plays a role in the increased risk of certain joint conditions.
- Smoking: Smoking is known to trigger inflammation which can increase the risk of joint issues and aggravate existing conditions.
- Diet: Certain foods can aggravate joint discomfort by triggering inflammatory responses. A poor diet may contribute to obesity, increasing stress on joints, leading to more rapid deterioration.
- Inactivity: A lack of regular physical activity weakens bones and muscles, which reduces joint flexibility and increases joint instability.
4. What are the complications of poor joint function?
As joint tissues are worn down and cartilage is lost, there is less cushion in the joint. Bones can rub together, causing discomfort and other complications such as:
- Swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Immobility
- Infections
- Heart health complications
Painful joints reduce mobility which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, adn this can contribute to bone density loss and an increased risk of fractures.
5. How is joint health and function tested?
When you present with common arthritis symptoms such as swelling, pain, stiffness, or immobility, your doctor will first conduct an interview and then a physical exam of the affected joint(s). The joint will be examined both stationary and while moving. Range of motion will be tested to help the doctor identify potential causes and severity of your abnormal joint function.
In addition to looking at joint motion, specific blood tests may be utilized to identify more serious conditions. Evaluating blood samples for the compounds below can help with identification of the etiology of joint pain that is caused by an autoimmune or other inflammatory condition.
- RF (Rheumatoid Factor) and CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies: These tests look for highly specific antibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP): An elevated ESR or CRP reading can be associated with joint stiffness and swelling.
- Antinuclear Antibody (ANA): This test looks for the presence of inflammatory antinuclear antibodies in the blood.
Your doctor will also evaluate the surrounding soft tissues, ligaments, and tendons. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans, and ultrasounds can help identify abnormalities in joint structure. Additionally, nerve tests may be required if there is suspicion that nerves have become compressed by joint swelling or other nearby structures.
6. What medical treatment options do I have?
Treatment options are designed to alleviate discomfort most of which include medications, such as oral or topical analgesics. Minor joint issues can also be treated at home with ice therapy to reduce swelling or heat therapy to relax muscles surrounding the affected joint. Other traditional treatment options may include:
- Physical therapy to help improve muscle strength to support and stabilize a weakened joint.
- Corticosteroids that are injected directly into the affected joint to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Bracing to provide stability and compression around the joint using assistive devices that help improve discomfort and mobility.
7. Will I need surgery to improve joint function?
Surgery is typically reserved for situations where conservative treatment options have been unsuccessful. Should your doctor feel that surgery is necessary, the following may be recommended:
- Arthroscopic surgery, where the doctor can repair cartilage, menisci, and ligaments through small incisions.
- Joint resurfacing to repair cartilage defects in the joint.
- Fusion of two bones together in joints using pins, rods, or plates.
- Total or partial joint replacement involves removing a joint and replacing it with an implant that mimics a real joint’s movement and function.
8. Are there any lifestyle changes that will support joint health?
Maintaining a balanced diet can help reduce inflammation that can damage joint tissues or aggravate existing joint pain. You want to include fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains for optimal joint health. Limiting or cutting out processed foods, high-fat foods, and alcohol also supports joint health by limiting inflammation that can cause joint discomfort.
When it comes to diet, you can also include omega-3 fatty acids, which are powerful antioxidant compounds you can find in fresh fish and nuts. These are known to protect joint tissues from inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the production of specific proteins known to encourage fluid accumulation and swelling in joints.
Outside of diet, regular physical activity is a great way to support joint health, as movement, stretching, and strength training can promote stronger, healthier joints and improve flexibility and mobility. Lifestyle changes are also important such as not smoking, which increases inflammation, and losing weight which reduce stress placed on your joints.
9. Will physical activity make joint discomfort worse?
Regular low-impact exercise supports healthy joint function and also strengthens muscles, while improving balance and coordination. Individuals that live a sedentary lifestyle are prone to muscle atrophy, severe joint deterioration, and immobility.
Physical activity can reduce the risk of age-related changes to joints and may even slow joint deterioration. It is never too late to start living an active lifestyle.
- Resistance exercises such as lifting weights are beneficial for strengthening joints and muscles.
- Swimming and cycling are good for muscle health to help improve balance and joint stability.
- Tai Chi provides gentle movement of the joints to promote strength, balance, and stability.
- Daily stretches help to maintain joint flexibility and promote overall mobility.
10. Are there natural supplements to improve joint health?
Clinical research has identified natural ingredients that can support joint health and improve mobility. Several of these natural ingredients are included in the physician-formulated supplement, MoveMD®️, to support joint function and help slow the progression of joint deterioration.
- Boswellia serrata supports joint mobility by disrupting inflammatory processes that contribute to the breakdown of cartilage. As a result, discomfort and swelling are reduced, allowing for smoother movement of the joint.
- Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that has been clinically proven to outperform glucosamine and chondroitin. It helps alleviate joint discomfort, protects cartilage integrity, and promotes proper joint function and mobility.
- Collagen is essential to joint health, and both type X.I.V. eggshell membrane collagen and Type II chicken collagen combine to protect cartilage tissue and increase the range of joint motion and mobility.
- Hyaluronic acid helps promote joint mobility and flexibility by restoring synovial joint fluid, which reduces discomfort.
1MD additionally offers CurcuminMD® Plus, which contains the new Longvida®️ Optimized Curcumin formula, a powerful ingredient that has an absorption rate 285 times more efficient than standard curcumin. Combined with the highly bioavailable form of standardized 65% Boswellia serrata, this curcumin supplement helps prevent cartilage loss to promote overall joint health.
KrillMD™ also promotes joint health with K·REAL® Pure Krill Oil. More effective than fish oil, this krill supplement provides potent omega-3 fatty acids, delivered by phospholipids for more efficient absorption. KrillMD™ also contains astaxanthin, another potent antioxidant that helps support healthy joint function.
Final Thoughts
Cartilage in your joints gradually wears down over time, reducing shock absorption, mobility, flexibility, and in many cases, quality of life. Some joint disease can be debilitating, but with a targeted approach, you can maintain healthy joint function. With a balanced diet, regular exercise, and dietary supplement support you can protect your aging joints. The revolutionary joint health formula, MoveMD®, targets joint function from the inside with clinically proven ingredients to support healthy joint function, alleviate discomfort, and promote mobility.