A joint is any place where two or more bones come together in your body, and they allow for remarkable movement. Not all joints are the same, though; consider how the joint in the middle of your index finger moves compared to how your ankle moves.
At Apex Medical Center, our specialty is pain management, and our providers see many patients who have joint pain. Part of the reason is that joints are complex, and some, like knees and shoulders, are more prone to injury than others. Happily, in many instances, you can improve the range of motion in your knees and shoulders without surgery.
Before we talk about how you can improve your range of motion, we should talk about why knee and shoulder pain are such common problems. There are two different types of joints, and usually the underlying causes of knee and shoulder pain differ.
Your knee is a hinge joint, and works like a hinge on a door. It moves back and forth, and it’s very strong. Your knee supports your body weight, and it absorbs shock when you walk, run, or jump.
Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, with the end of your arm bone (humerus) ending in a ball that sits in the socket of your shoulder blade (scapula). The main difference between your shoulder and your hip (your other ball-and-socket joint) is that the socket of your shoulder is more like a shallow bowl than a socket. The ball of your shoulder is mostly held in the socket by ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
It’s easy to see why knees and shoulders are vulnerable to injury. Your knees endure a great deal of wear-and-tear and are subject to an incredible amount of force. Shoulders are the most mobile joints in the human body, but the structures that hold the joint together are more fragile than bone.
Even though knees and shoulders are different types of joints and vulnerable to different types of injuries, they have something in common, and that is the importance of strength. When the structures that support either a knee or a shoulder joint aren’t strong enough, the result can be pain.
The need for strong supporting structures is especially important for people who have a condition like osteoarthritis of the knee, which can limit the range of motion and make exercise painful. As the muscles that support your knee joint get stronger, the pain is lessened, yet it can be difficult to begin an exercise program if it’s painful.
Working with a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable and trustworthy is the key. Building up slowly is also helpful.
When you come to Apex Medical Center for help with limited range of motion in your knee or shoulder, you can expect a thorough exam, diagnostic tests, and treatment recommendations that are safe and designed to help you live with less pain.
If you have knee or shoulder pain or limited range of motion, and you’d like to find out what your treatment options are, schedule an appointment at any of our three convenient locations.
