30-Second Summary
- Joint pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility are very common symptoms after the age of 40.
- The normal wear and tear that happens with age and overuse can gradually damage our joints and ligaments and start causing symptoms.
- However, joint pain can have numerous causes, and it’s not impossible to experience it at a younger age.
- Sometimes infections, repetitive movements, injuries, genes, obesity, and certain health conditions can target our joints.
- Fortunately, regardless of the causes, there are many treatment methods, approaches, and techniques that can effectively relieve your joint pain and restore your function.
- Nevertheless, since the causes for joint pain in younger adults are different, the course of treatment sometimes also varies.
Introduction
Many young people believe that joint pain is a symptom of old age and feel protected against it. However, joint pain, stiffness, and decreased flexibility can have many causes. Moreover, some health conditions primarily affect younger adults.
They could affect virtually all joints in our body. Nevertheless, the most common locations include the fingers, wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, and hips. Sometimes, lower back pain could also be a subtle signal of osteoarthritis that can occur at a young age too.
Symptoms can be similar to the one in older people, but they often require a different treatment approach. If you want to know how to relieve arthritis pain and restore your joint function, then keep reading! We will get you acquainted with the top five most common causes for joint pain in younger people and ways to combat them.
Top 5 Reasons for Joint Pain in An Early Age
1. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome as One of The Most Common Causes
Also known as the runner’s knee, the patellofemoral syndrome is associated with pain and tenderness around the kneecap. This condition is common with traumas to the front of the knee, either by a direct hit or taking a fall. While the runner’s knee is a lot more common with athletes who put excessive pressure on their knees, virtually anyone can experience it.
For example, some people can have a more unstable kneecap that can easily move around and put pressure over the surrounding cartilage. The symptoms range from pain during exercising and walking to tenderness and cracking and popping sounds when bending your knee.
Usually, the best method to relieve arthritis pain in this condition is to apply the RICE method. That is rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You can also opt for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Also, take your time to identify the possible causes for your aches so that you can be cautious and prevent them next time.
2. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is a more complicated condition that’s the most common type of arthritis among teenagers and children. It can involve anyone within the range of 6 months to 16 years of age. Experts are unsure about what causes JIA, but they seem to be related to our immune system.
The most common symptoms include joint pain and stiffness that can vary between each day and from morning to night. There are seven types of JIA that can cause different symptoms, affect different joints, and vary in severity. Unfortunately, JIA is a condition that currently has no definitive treatment. However, numerous methods and medications can relieve arthritis pain and slow its progression.
3. Osteoarthritis Can Also Affect Younger People
Contrary to popular belief, osteoarthritis isn’t a condition affecting only older people. You can get it as early as your adolescence. Some of the most crucial contributing factors include being an active athlete, obesity, and genetics.
Osteoarthritis refers to the wear and tear of cartilage tissue inside the joints. Joint injury from occupation and sports activities, muscle weakness, and anatomical factors can contribute significantly.
Sometimes, we can observe what is known as secondary OA due to an underlying joint abnormality. This can include inflammatory arthritis, metabolic disorders, avascular necrosis, and other rarer disorders.
With OA, there are many things you can do to alleviate pain, reduce swelling and improve joint function. Apart from introducing positive lifestyle changes and opting for regular strengthening exercises, you can also pick an option from the best joint pain supplements available. Dietary supplements can provide you with precious vitamins, minerals, and extracts that can nurture and lubricate your joints.
4. Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis comprises several joint conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, infectious arthritis, and JIA. Generally, they are associated with an autoimmune process that’s causing inflammation-related symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and stiffness.
For example, rheumatoid arthritis targets the lining of our joints, known as synovium. On the other hand, psoriatic arthritis is accompanied by a skin condition called psoriasis. Lastly, infectious arthritis results from a previous infection. Most commonly, the underlying pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, which can be found on healthy skin.
Systemic infections, such as mumps, measles, and hepatitis can also trigger arthritis and have to be ruled out by a medical professional.
5. Repetitive Movements and Injuries
Repetitive movements during sports or daily activities and injuries to the joints can also lead to joint pain at an early age. Jobs involving prolonged sitting, standing, lifting weights, and other repetitive movements can put excessive pressure over specific joints and ligaments.
If you’re experiencing joint pain and stiffness, revisit your daily activities. Think whether there’s something you could be doing wrong that could be potentially damaging your joints.
Final Words
Joint pain, swelling, and decreased mobility are common after the age of 40. However, these are symptoms that can come at any point during our lives.
It’s crucial to try to identify the causes behind your aches and look for a solution. Nevertheless, if your symptoms persist, it’s always advised to seek help from a medical professional. Whether they’re due to a more common cause, a result of injury, or infection, your doctor will give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Also, to protect your joints and speed up the healing process, don’t hesitate to choose from the best joint pain supplements on the market.