Joint injuries, both acute and chronic, occur in every demographic. Stemming from a variety of injury-related causes or genetics, they can lead to pain that negatively affects your quality of life. Orthopedic intervention will help reduce aches and discomfort associated with your joints, but this guide will help you prevent this pain in the first place.

Common Types

The joints in your skeletal system are the parts of the bones that connect to each other. These intersections, found in your elbows, knees, hips, wrists, and ankles, are prone to injury because the muscles and bones that connect them are thin.

Joint injuries can be strains, sprains, fractures, or dislocations. A strain happens when a muscle or tendon is overextended or overused, while sprains are injured ligaments. These issues require little intervention and should get better after adequate rest. However, a fracture or dislocation will need a cast and possibly a stent or adjustment.

How to Avoid Joint Injuries

Warm Up & Cool Down

Cold joints have difficulty absorbing impact, but warm ones can rapidly move without much resistance. For this reason, you should always warm up your body before a workout by doing jumping jacks, stretching, or running in place to raise your heart rate. On the other hand, a cool-down involves stretching on a mat or slowing down your running pace. This ensures blood doesn’t pool in one area.

Avoid High-Impact Exercise

After a joint injury, you may have difficulties doing high-impact exercise. High-intensity interval training requires a lot of bouncing, which will put stress on your bones and muscles. Focus on your form once you’re ready to up the intensity in your workouts to avoid damage.

Wear Proper Equipment

Wearing proper shoes can make a significant difference in how you land when you jump or step when you run. Shoes that are too big could trip you, while ones that are too small could cut off circulation. Also, after a joint injury, wear a brace for extra protection while you’re recovering if your doctor allows low-impact exercise.

If you need treatment for a joint injury, seek help at the Orthopaedic Associates of Rochester in New York. These skilled medical professionals use up-to-date techniques, and their board-certified surgeons are available if necessary. Their practice also provides same-day diagnosis and treatment for added convenience. To make an appointment, call today at (585) 723­-3000.