From October 12 – 20, 2024, Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the importance of maintaining healthy bones and joints. The week serves as a reminder about how essential it is to prioritize musculoskeletal health, given the widespread impact of bone and joint disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide.
From osteoporosis to arthritis, bone fractures to tendonitis, bone and joint issues affect well-being, mobility, independence, and can significantly reduce overall quality of life. The team at Atlantic Orthopaedics is here to help individuals suffering from these conditions with comprehensive care, advanced treatments, and patient education focused on prevention.
Why Bone and Joint Health Matters
It goes without saying that bones and joints play a fundamental role in daily life, supporting your body, protecting vital organs, and allowing you to move freely. But over time the wear and tear on joints or weakening of bones can lead to serious conditions that make even simple activities like walking, bending, and lifting painful and difficult.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bone and Joint Pain?
- Arthritis: a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion.
There are many types of arthritis, and the condition can affect the hands and wrists, knees, hips, feet and ankles, shoulders, or spine. Depending on the type of arthritis, causes can range from normal wear and tear due to aging (osteoarthritis), immune system disorder (rheumatoid arthritis), or too much uric acid in the blood (gout), among others. Risk factors for developing arthritis also vary, and may include smoking, family history, lack of exercise, obesity, and autoimmune disease.
- Osteoporosis: a condition that causes the bones to become brittle and fragile, due to loss of tissue, increasing the risk of fractures and broken bones. Osteoporosis occurs when the body doesn’t create enough new bone to keep up with bone loss.
In addition to bones that easily fracture, signs of osteoporosis can include back pain, reduced height, and stooped or hunched posture. Risk factors are varied, and include both lifestyle choices–alcohol consumption, smoking, and sitting for long periods of time–and factors over which you have no control–age, race, gender, family history, and body frame. The likelihood of developing osteoporosis increases with age, and the condition is more common in women, people of Caucasian or Asian descent, and individuals with small body frames (less bone mass). Osteoporosis is more likely to develop in people who are underweight, have decreased sex hormones, don’t get enough calcium, or have medical issues like overactive thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, or celiac disease.
- Tendonitis and Bursitis: Inflammation of the tendons or bursae are conditions that lead to the breakdown of the soft tissue that connects bones to muscles. Tendons are bands of tissue, and bursae are sacs of fluid that cushion the joints.
Tendonitis and bursitis are most often the result of repetitive motion or overuse. Tennis elbow and swimmer’s shoulder are types of tendonitis, and people who work in professions that involve repeated motions, like house painting and carpentry, are also susceptible to the condition. Tendonitis and bursitis can also be caused by injury, and may affect the shoulder, knee, hip, wrist, ankle, or elbow.
- Injuries: Traumatic injuries, like those caused by sports or accidents, can damage bones and joints, requiring immediate and ongoing care.
Atlantic Orthopaedics understands the profound impact that bone and joint issues can have on your life. Our team of expert orthopedic surgeons and medical professionals are dedicated to providing personalized care to help you manage pain, restore function, and get back to doing the activities you love. We offer a range of services, from preventative care to advanced surgical techniques to address the unique needs of each patient.
What Is Involved in Treating Bone and Joint Issues?
- Comprehensive Evaluation and Diagnosis: We begin by conducting a thorough evaluation of your condition, using advanced diagnostic tools to identify the root cause of your bone or joint issues. Then we work with you to create a customized treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle and goals.
- Non-Surgical Treatments: For many patients, non-surgical options are the first line of defense for bone and joint problems. These treatments may include physical therapy, medication management, and injections, with a focus on relieving pain, improving mobility, and preventing further damage.
- Surgical Solutions: When surgery is necessary, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons use cutting-edge technology and techniques, like robotic-assisted joint replacement, to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients. Our team of specialists have expertise performing a range of advanced surgical procedures, from minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to total joint replacement.
Bone and Joint Health Awareness Week is a perfect time to take proactive steps toward improving your long-term bone and joint health. Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, osteoporosis, or recovering from a sports injury, don’t let pain hold you back. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you live an active, pain-free life.
