Making A Move

Joint pain isn’t life threatening, but it is quality of life threatening.

- Lim Teck Choon

A global study showed that joint pain affects more than 40% of Malaysians aged 18 onwards, severely impacting their ability to work, exercise and go about their daily routines. For almost half of us, joint pain is a weekly occurrence, making it hard to spend time on hobbies and to enjoy the shared passions that really matter with our friends and family.

Worryingly, the study also reveals that about 47% of Malaysians with joint pain hide it from their loved ones, often waiting for days before taking action to relieve their pain.

What is joint pain?

It is pain that arises from problems within the joint. A joint is the junction between two bones. There are various types of joints, but the ones we are all familiar with are called synovial joints, which are joints that facilitate movement. The name derives from the word ‘synovium,’ which is the lining of the joint which allows it to move smoothly. Movement is aided by the production of synovial fluid, which is the lubricating fluid found at the joint.

Who suffers from joint pain?

Unfortunately, everybody will suffer from joint pain at some point in their lives. This can vary from minor, temporary pain, like knee aches from a game of football with the kids, to more persistent or debilitating pain, which may require medical attention.

In general, the older we are, the more likely we are to suffer from joint pain. This is because, as we age, our bones may become thinner due to the loss of calcium and other minerals. Other factors that contribute to join pain include joints becoming stiffer and less flexible, loss of cartilage in hip and knee joints, and reduced muscle strength.

What are the causes of joint pain?