Arthrosis is the term used to describe joint wear and tear as a result of cartilage wear, which is often age-related. However, younger people can also suffer from osteoarthritis. You can recognize joint wear and tear from these 3 symptoms.
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Osteoarthritis: 3 symptoms of joint wear
1. Cracking joints
Has your knee been crunching on every single step for some time now? Do your ankles crack when you take your first steps after sitting for a long time? Osteoarthritis could be present, but does not have to be. Age-related or injury-related cartilage damage can lead to noisy friction on the joint capsule. However, simple gas bubbles that burst when moved can also be the cause. However, if joint pain is added to the noise, it is quite possible that the cartilage has partially or, in advanced stages, completely disappeared, so that two bones meet loudly at the joint surface . This is especially the case after years of cartilage wear .
In general, cracking joints are nothing out of the ordinary. To allay your anxiety, simply raise the issue at your next routine GP visit. You can usually save yourself the trip to the orthopedist for the time being – unless the cracking in the joint is accompanied by the following two symptoms.
2. Joint pain
This arthrosis symptom can severely limit the quality of life and exert a high level of suffering on those affected. In the early stages of joint wear and tear, the pain usually occurs sporadically and only with certain movements under load on the corresponding joint. In the case of advanced arthrosis, however, severe chronic pain is not uncommon, which can also occur at rest and even impair sleep. Due to this critical course of the disease, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Preventive measures such as muscle building through strength training can also relieve the joints and protect them from further damage.
3. Decreased mobility of the joint
Are you unable to fully straighten your knee, bring your arms together overhead, or bend your knee to bring your heel to your buttocks? Rusty muscles, sitting for too long and a lack of stretching exercises are often to blame. However, in most cases, arthrosis will sooner or later also result in restricted movement. This does not necessarily have to be accompanied by pain, but can initially manifest itself in the fact that, for example, your shoulder blocks a little when you get a cup out of the cupboard or your hip, ankle or knee joints prevent you from deep squats walk. In the advanced stage, the joints can deform due to constant friction, which can lead to chronic pain in addition to the loss of mobility.
Tip: These types of sports are particularly well suited for arthrosis >>
