Joint conditions refer to any condition or disease that affects the joints. Arthritis is the most well-known and commonly occurring joint disease, while there are several others that impact the health of individuals across the world. Diseases related to the joints can be both short-lived or they can turn chronic and require surgery and other serious treatment. This condition can be limited to a single joint or it can impact different parts of the body.

Symptoms of joint conditions

There are several symptoms of joint conditions. While most of them will involve pain, some of them might just involve a difference in shape or a bulge around the joint. This will be the earlier stage of any joint condition, and if a person visits a doctor during this stage, treatment can be fairly simple.

Let us understand the different symptoms of joint conditions:

• The area surrounding the joint is swollen or there is prominent redness in the area. If you touch it, and the area is warm, you might want to consult the doctor.
• Persistent pain is a major symptom of any joint condition. Fever with the absence of flu is another symptom that might need a visit to the doctor.

Apart from these, there are several conditions that can lead to serious joint ailments. Any of the following symptoms might lead you to the emergency room:

• A recent serious injury that has impacted a joint
• Deformation of the joint
• Sudden swelling of the joint and its nearby areas
• Absolute immobility of the joint
• Severe joint pain

Causes of joint conditions

There are multiple factors that could lead to several joint conditions, especially osteoarthritis. Some of the factors that could impact the occurrence of a joint condition include age, occupation, and the intensity of your fitness regime during the course of a normal day. In addition, there are some factors that we do not have control over like some environmental factors as well as genetics.

People who have a job profile wherein they have to be on their feet all the time are more likely to get joint conditions and experience joint pain. The same is the case with people whose jobs involve a high level of labor. In addition, low exposure to direct sunlight and low vitamin D can also lead to joint diseases. 

Risk factors for joint conditions

Age is a very important factor, and joints tend to get weak as one gets older. Obesity, which is a growing problem in the country, is one of the biggest factors for people getting joint diseases. The chances increase when a person’s knees cannot sustain one’s own body weight. A combination of obesity and growing age might put one at great risk of getting joint conditions. Conditions like osteoarthritis have been observed to occur more in women, and just gender plays a role sometimes too. A recent injury might also put you at risk of joint diseases, and if the joint has been impacted, it is suggested to visit the doctor immediately.