Joint health might be an afterthought for some people, but even small declines in joint health and mobility can have significant long-term impacts on overall well being. In a recent article in The San Francisco Examiner, Dr. Kevin R. Stone examines the correlation between loss of joint movement and quality of life.
Stone explains that articular cartilage, a smooth, white tissue, coats our joints, both protecting them and producing matrix and collagen that keep the cartilage healthy. However, the cartilage can’t heal on its own, so when injured, it gets gradually worn down until the bone is no longer covered. Without the slickness it provides, friction increases and movement is constricted to a small area, limiting our range of motion and wearing that area down at a faster rate.
The impact extends beyond just the joint in question. The joints around it are forced to offset its abnormality, often becoming worn down in an effort to keep the body moving as normally as possible. To put it into perspective, the average person takes two to three million steps a year. If those two to three million steps are putting undue stress on your joints, that can negatively impact your entire body.
“A loss of motion signals a gradual decline in joint performance and lifespan,” writes Stone in the article. “It may be the single most important factor in physical health after injury and arthritis.”
Options like physical therapy, creating an appropriate exercise program, or even joint replacement therapy can combat this and assist you in returning to a pain-free, active life.
At Proliance Orthopedic Associates, our orthopedic surgeons in Renton, Covington, and Maple Valley offer decades of specialized experience. Our joint doctors and spine specialists help western Washington residents through both surgical and non-surgical options. Call us at (425) 656-5060 for an appointment.