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Sticky Joints
Written By: Dr. Sue Aery - Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture | Issue: December - 2022
The various creaks and pops that somehow work their way into our everyday existence often emanate from our sticky joints.
Sue Aery, DC
Sometimes it’s a squeak, click, crackle, snap, and sometimes it may get stuck or hung up for a second.
There are so many joints in the body, in different forms, with different components. They are all designed to “articulate,” meaning that they move freely against a surface for a very specific purpose or motion. Let’s take the knee joint, which is very specific in its function. The knee joint joins the upper leg, or femur, with the lower leg, or tibia, and helps us move while walking. There are many different levers and pulleys to control the force, distance and direction of the person walking or running. These components are driven by muscles, which are controlled by the nervous system and the brain at the helm, much like a computer.
Now, let’s get back to the joint – each bone is covered by a layer of cartilage called a meniscus. When we’re young, the meniscus is very supple and smooth, which makes for a comfortable movement where the bones glide over one another with ease. The knee joint is therefore mobile and quick in its movement, with nothing sticky!
As we age over time, whether we have experienced an injury or not, the meniscus can wear down, becoming rough and less mobile. Now, we can begin to hear sounds when we move, making a creaky noise each time we take a step. The meniscus becomes less lubricated with healthy cells, good blood flow and less space between the bones. This breakdown can then lead to arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and other forms and causes of pain.
The “squeaky” part is a damaged articulation and may need some help. Some of the natural approaches include acupuncture, TRT, massage, therapeutic ultrasound, physical therapy, etc. Some of the medical approaches involve more invasive procedures, including injections, arthroscopic surgeries and prosthetic replacements.
Remember, long before any of these advanced procedures, listen to your joints! If they are squeaky, make sure that you seek advice from your chiropractor, so that you can take steps to reduce your risk of major surgery!
