Many factors can affect your joints, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. These range from common conditions like arthritis to more serious issues like bone cancer.
Causes of Joint Problems:
Several factors can negatively impact joint health:
Inflammatory Conditions:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Mayo Clinic describes it as causing pain, swelling, and deformity. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) highlights that it affects multiple joints. NIAMS
- Adult Still's Disease: A rare inflammatory condition causing joint pain, swelling, and fever.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis: A type of arthritis primarily affecting the spine, causing inflammation and stiffness.
- Lupus: A systemic autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body, including joints, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation. MedlinePlus
- Bursitis: Inflammation of bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints, leading to pain and swelling. Mayo Clinic describes it as inflammation of these sacs.
Other Conditions:
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Obesity and lack of physical activity are risk factors. Wayne UNC
- Gout: A form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, resulting in severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. Mount Sinai
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): Death of bone tissue due to insufficient blood supply, often leading to joint pain and collapse. Mayo Clinic
- Bone Cancer: Malignant tumors in bones can cause pain, swelling, and joint dysfunction.
- Broken Bone (Fracture): A break in a bone near a joint can result in significant pain and limited mobility.
Additional Factors:
- Injury: Sprains, strains, and dislocations can damage joint structures, causing pain and instability.
- Infection: Infections in or around a joint (septic arthritis) can cause severe pain, swelling, and potentially joint damage.
- Aging: The natural wear and tear on joints associated with aging can lead to osteoarthritis and other age-related changes.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts extra stress on joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis and other joint problems. Wayne UNC
- Genetics: Family history of certain joint diseases can increase your risk.
