Have you started to notice the noises that your body makes – the creak of your knees as you stoop down to pick up an object, the crack of your neck when you put on your scarf and the clicking noises that your wrists, ankles or hips make as you move around? It’s crucial that you don’t ignore those noises, because whilst many of them can be harmless, some of them could indicate that your wellness is at risk from arthritis.
Advancing years can bring with them a whole host of unpleasant side effects, and that includes the weird and wonderful noises that the joints make. It may seem like a lighthearted subject, but the accompanying pain of arthritis and osteoporosis is no laughing matter and can be devastating to your wellbeing.
For this reason, it’s worth staying vigilant about unusual noises in the joints. If they are not accompanied by any additional symptoms, there is usually no cause for concern. Noises often occur simply because a fluid-filled sac in between the joints forms bubbles due to changes of position and these bubbles then pop. This is probably what happens when you crack your knuckles.
Some pops, however, can be signs of damage or inflammation. Sometimes when the cartilage in a joint deteriorates, it can leave parts of the bone open or it can create a rough surface, and the grinding noise that then occurs when the joint moves can be associated with osteoarthritis. This is most common in the neck and in the knees.
Once you become aware of the noises in your joints, there is, unfortunately, not much that you can do to prevent further damage. Osteoarthritis is usually genetic, but you may find that keeping your weight in control helps to prevent putting further stress on the joints and creating further damage.
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