You’ve probably heard the term “bone-on-bone” used to describe a joint that has lost so much cartilage that the two bones are now sitting against each. This pressing against each other causes pain. But how do our joints really work? How do our joints become bone on bone?
Let’s use the knee for our example. Our knee joint is made up of three bones: the distal femur, proximal tibia, and patella. The tibia and femur line up and form a hinge like joint with the ends of each bone being covered in a thick layer of tissue known as hyaline cartilage. But the compartment is filled with something else called synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is mostly water but also contains proteins as well (now you know why it’s so important to stay hydrated!). The hyaline cartilage and synovial fluid actual interact through an electromagnetic effect and actually cause a repulsion of the two leg bones creating a joint space. Even with massive amounts of force pressing down into the joint space, the two bones do not touch when there is cartilage intact with synovial fluid present.
The cartilage can lose blood supply overtime from wear and tear. The cartilage can also become compromised during fractures. Lastly, cartilage can actually be worn away by our own immune system (rheumatoid arthritis). This breakdown of the cartilage reduces the electromagnetic repulsive affect in the joint and the bones get closer and closer and can possible touch.
Now that you have an understanding of how your joints work, it’s important to learn how to preserve your joints as well as gain understand how to work with a compromised joint. I will be writing more about this in the near future, so stay tuned!
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