1. Joints Are More At Risk than Bones
Joints, especially the weight-bearing joints in the knees and hips, will experience some degree of degeneration. Cartilage between the joints wears down, and as their cushioning properties decrease, the body will lay down more bone to stabilize the area. This is where some people feel like their joints are grinding when they move.
2. Trauma Can Accelerate the Process
Old knee injuries or repeated chronic shoulder strains can predispose the joint to accelerated degeneration. The presence of inflammation can wear away cartilage faster than normal. The trauma can be slow and repetitive, like running, or a one-time incidence, like a whiplash injury to the neck.
3. Stop Inflammation
Whether you have suffered an acute injury, like whiplash, or have a chronically sore ankle that you've sprained many times, it is important to control the inflammation in the area. Use ice as soon as possible after an injury and rehab it thoroughly to restore the normal function of the joint to prevent local degeneration and arthritis.
4. You Can Feel the Rain Coming in Your Knee
Degenerative joints can be painful when inflamed. The joint can even be swollen and red. Chronically degenerative joints have reduced range of motion and can feel or even sound like they are grinding. Degenerative joints are usually stiff in cold, damp weather. Lack of activity can make a joint feel stiff, especially when you first get out of bed in the morning. Take time to gently stretch in the morning to loosen your joints.
5. Motion Can Make it Feel Better
Supplements that repair and maintain joint materials, like glucosamine, are great. Moderate, non-jarring exercise helps lubricate the joints and increases range of motion. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections into the joint. Advanced bone and joint degeneration may require joint replacement surgery.
