While the entire body is affected by age-related changes, our joints are particularly susceptible to gradual degeneration. Understanding how your joints change with age can help you make informed choices to protect your ongoing health and prevent chronic pain.
Common age-related joint changes include:
Diminished Cartilage
Cartilage is the connective tissue that protects your joints from friction. It’s located at the ends of bones within a joint, helping to absorb impact and keep them from rubbing together when you move.
With age, cartilage becomes thinner, stiffer, and more brittle. As a result, it becomes less effective at protecting the joints, leading to increased friction and inflammation.
Stiffening Tendons and Ligaments
Tendons and ligaments attach muscle to bone, while ligaments help hold the structures within a joint in place. They offer stability and keep the joint from overextending.
Over time, tendons and ligaments become shorter and stiffer. This results from reduced blood flow to the tissue, as well as diminished elastin and collagen production. Age-related changes to the tendons and ligaments can make your joints feel stiff, with a reduced range of motion.
Decreased Synovial Fluid
Synovial fluid is a thick substance that lubricates the body’s joints. It offers protection and reduces friction between the bones. Unfortunately, with age, the amount of synovial fluid in the joints declines, typically leading to stiffness and lost flexibility.
Calcification
As you get older, your risk of joint calcification gets higher. This occurs when calcium deposits accumulate in the synovial fluid. These deposits can damage the surrounding tissue and trigger inflammation.
Managing Age-Related Joint Changes
Aging may be inevitable, but you can take steps to protect your joints and prevent the need for surgery. Regenerative therapies can restore your joint health using the innate healing properties of stem cells and PRP, without surgery or downtime.
Contact the Regenerative Orthopedic Institute today for a free consultation!