By Dr. Trina Ting
Have you ever wondered when you have a pain in your joint checked out? What are the red flags and things that should prompt you to have it examined? As chiropractic doctors, we are well versed to diagnose all kinds of joint problems, especially in the spine.
First, let’s define what a joint is. A joint is where two bones meet. There are three different types of joints:
Fibrous joints: Connected by tightly woven fibres in your body, which is mostly comprised of collagen. Eg. Bones of your skull, teeth in your jaw bone. They have very little to no movement.
Cartilaginous joints: These joints are lined with cartilage. They have some movement, slightly more than fibrous, but not much. Eg. Where ribs attach into the sternum (breastbone).
Synovial joints: These joints have the most movement, and the bones are designed to fit into each other. Slippery cartilage lines the joint and the joints have a capsule with synovial fluid in order to allow for smooth, full range of motion. Eg. Knees, shoulders, hips, fingers/wrists, ankles, spinal joints.
Here are some things to look out for when you’re feeling pain, stiffness or any kind of discomfort in any of your joints: If you see any of these symptoms, you can consult with our chiropractors or as indicated in some cases, a medical doctor.
Visible redness or sensation of heat: Acute onset of redness and heat in a joint can indicate infection, or acute onset of arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Abrasions in the skin around the joint do not have to be present for an infection to be a possible diagnosis. This will require a visit to your family doctor immediately, or to a walk-in clinic, as infection must be addressed immediately with prescribed antibiotics. They may prescribe topical and/oral antibiotics. Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout will have other symptoms present, such as other joints that will ache and gout especially likes to target the big toe.
Swelling: This does not always occur with redness. Swelling is when the soft tissue around the joint appears to enlarge and feel extra soft; it may or may not be painful. Swelling can come on gradually over days and weeks, and it can also come on suddenly after injury: think ankle sprains as an example. Chiropractic care can help with swelling that results from bursitis or arthritis in the joints.
Inability to move the joint: With or without pain. If something feels stuck, the joint may not be quite aligned in the right way. If the movement is restricted, it’s almost always the joint that’s the issue. In more minor joint injuries like sprains, chiropractic treatment can help facilitate normal joint range of motion, and help to heal the damaged tissue. Joint dislocations (eg. Shoulder separations) will require relocation of the joint under surgical intervention or manually under anesthesia.
Grinding/ crunching / popping sounds (AKA crepitus): This can come from release of gas bubbles in the joint fluid, or from loose bits of cartilage. Torn cartilage can cause a popping sound combined with the joint getting stuck (eg. The jaw getting stuck open or the knee locking up).
Inability to bear weight or hold weight: The inability to walk normally (put gravity and weight on the joints) in the ankles/hips/knees or to lift / reach normally in the upper limb joints. Also the inability to grip properly when turning doorknobs or squeeze with your hands is another sign that you should be examined.
These are just some of the major signs and symptoms in your joints that should prompt you to be examined! Did we miss any? Drop us an email if we did.
You can trust that your chiropractic doctors are spinal and human anatomy experts: did you know we do a full two years of anatomy study, including cadaver dissection in the school labs and detailed neuroanatomy (brain and spinal cord anatomy)? We can treat much more than back and neck pain, just ask us how at your next visit.
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