Common joint injuries and conditions
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Overview and symptoms
Diagnosis and treatment
Overview of common joint injuries and conditions
A joint is a structure where two or more bones meet and fit together. Other tissues within a
joint include ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and synovial fluid. Joint problems arise when
something goes wrong with any of these structures.
If a joint condition or injury is preventing you from engaging in life, Find a Doctor at Dignity
Health. We offer care in all areas, and we treat joint conditions and injuries as well.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of joint conditions vary according to the specific problem. Pain is a
common symptom and varies with the cause. It can feel sharp and severe or dull and achy.
Other symptoms include stiffness, limited range of motion, and swelling and warmth over the
joint. In fractures and dislocations, the joint may have a noticeable deformity.
Many joint conditions and injuries also affect the muscles. As a result, you may notice muscle
aches, tenderness, or bruising.
Causes
Overuse injuries from repetitive motion are a common cause of problems like tendonitis and
stress fractures. Overuse combined with age-related wear and tear on the joints can increase the
risk of osteoarthritis.
Traumatic injuries (accidental or sports-related injuries) are the usual cause of acute injuries,
such as broken bones, sprains, and dislocations.
Some conditions have precise causes. For example, gout occurs when uric acid crystal deposits
form in the joint. People who develop gout either produce too much uric acid, or their body
can’t flush it out as well.
Types
Common joint conditions and injuries include:
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Bursitis
Degenerative joint and bone diseases, such as osteoarthritis
Dislocations
Fractures and breaks
Gout, a kind of arthritis
Osteoporosis
Rheumatic disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Sprains and strains
Overuse injuries such as tendonitis
Risk factors
Joint injuries and diseases can be caused by a wide variety of scenarios, each of which has
different risk factors. They may include:
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Diagnosis of arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Gout
Previous joint injury, such as a sprain
Obesity or being overweight
Lack of muscular conditioning or physical fitness
Repetitive motion through sports, manual labor, your job, or hobbies
Age (joint injuries become more likely over time)
Poor form during activities
Overtraining or overextending/overexerting the body during activity
Not using proper safety equipment during activity
Engaging in high-impact sports or sports that require repetitive motion, such as football,
skiing, soccer, wrestling, rock climbing, running, or tennis
Prevention
Preventing joint injuries involves reducing risk factors. Some steps you can take to protect
your joints include:
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Making sure you have proper training before engaging in an activity
Using all required safety gear and making sure it is correctly fitted
Stopping when you feel pain and avoiding “pushing through” an injury
Maintaining a healthy weight
Resting when needed and not overtraining
Using proper form when engaging in activities such as sports or weightlifting
Engaging in regular exercise to strengthen the muscles around and supporting your joints
Eating a healthy diet low in salt and sugar and high in vegetables, as recommended by
your doctor
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Avoiding activities that cause pain or adjusting your positioning or form to avoid
straining your joints
 Making sure you have the proper footwear to support your knees, hips, and other joints
during activities like running and weightlifting
The information contained in this article is meant for educational purposes only and
should not replace advice from your healthcare provider
Diarthrodial joint
Diarthrodial joint
n., plural: diarthrodial joints; diarthroses Definition: a synovial joint
Table of Contents
What is a diarthrodial joint?
A diarthrosis joint is a freely moving joint characterized by its mobility and joint cavity
within a synovial membrane encased in the joint capsule. Diarthrodial joints are also
known as true joint or movable joint, or synovial joint, that allows free movement of the
joints.
To better understand the diarthrodial joints, we must understand the joints and the
classification of the joints. Joints or articulations are the connecting point between the
two bones that provide the required mobility and stability to the skeletal system.
Different types of joints in the body can be classified in two ways:
A. Functionality – based on the amount of mobility, there are three types of joints:
1. Immovable joints, i.e., synarthrosis joints. Example: skull sutures
2. Slightly movable joints, i.e., amphiarthrodial joints. Example: tibia and the fibula joint
3. Freely movable joints or mobile joints, i.e., diarthrosis. Example: elbow joints
B. Histologically or structurally – based on the type of connective tissue in the joint,
there are three types of joints:
1. Fibrous joints
2. Cartilaginous joints
3. Synovial joints
Correlating these two classifications leads to the following conclusions:
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Amphiarthroses are cartilaginous joints
Synarthroses are fibrous joints
Diarthroses are synovial joints
From the above classification, it can be concluded that all the synovial joints of the body
are the diarthrodial joints and are involved in the majority of the body movements.
Diarthrodial joints are the most common joint found in the body of mammals.
Biology (anatomy) definition:
Diarthrodial joint is the most common and movable type of joint characterized by the presence
of a layer of fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage that lines the opposing bony surfaces, as well as a
lubricating synovial fluid within the synovial cavity. Etymology: “dia”, meaning “between” and
“arthroun”, meaning to fasten by a joint. Synonym: synovial joint,
diarthrosis. Compare: cartilaginous joint
Structure of diarthrodial joint or synovial joint
Diarthrodial joints are freely moving joints wherein the joint is encased in an articular
capsule, and the bones connect with each other in a fluid-filled cavity known as
the synovial cavity. The articular capsule is made up of cartilage and fibrous tissues.
Within the articular capsule, the synovial membrane creates a fluid-filled sac or the joint
cavity. The fluid present in the joint cavity, known as synovial fluid, provides the required
smoothness and lubrication to the bones for motion. Additionally, the ends of the
articular bones are encased in a protective cartilaginous layer known as articular
cartilage.
Figure 1: Basic structure of a diarthrodial or synovial joint. Credit: OpenStax College, CC 3.0.
Accordingly, the essential component of the diarthrodial or synovial joints are:
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The articular capsule encloses the diarthrodial joint and is in continuation of the
periosteum of articulating bones. The articular capsule is made up of two layerso The outer fibrous layer comprises white fibrous tissue that holds the joint together
and supports the synovium.
o The inner layer (or the synovial layer) is richly supplied with blood vessels and
made up of the serous connective tissue. The synovial layer or synovium
secretes and absorbs the synovial fluid and continuously enriches it with
nutrients.
Articular cartilage: this is a cartilaginous layer covering the surface of the articulating
bones to reduce the friction between the bone surfaces and absorb the shock. The
cartilaginous layer is made up of hyaline cartilage and is non-vascular.
Ligaments: ligaments are the bands of white fibrous tissue that reinforce and support
the diarthrodial joint. Ligaments are essential to limit the movement of the diarthrodial
joint.
Articular discs and meniscus: some of the diarthrodial joints have a fibrocartilage
structure between articulating bones. When this fibrocartilage structure is a small ovalshaped disc-shaped, it is known as an articular disc, while when this fibrocartilage
structure is a large c-shaped structure known as meniscus.
The distinguishing feature of the diarthrodial joint from the fibrous or cartilaginous joints
is the presence of a joint cavity in it. Unlike fibrous or cartilaginous joints, articulating
surfaces of the bones in a diarthrodial joint connect with each other in a fluid-filled
space. The presence of fluid between the two surfaces of the bones further aids in the
smooth and free movement of the diarthrodial joint.
Types of Diarthrodial Joints
Diarthrodial joints may be classified based on the axis of the movement or on the shape
and structure of the joint.
A. Based on the axis of the movement
Body movements occur in three different axes or planes, i.e., transverse, frontal, and
sagittal. Accordingly, diarthrodial joints can also be classified into three types: based on
the axis or the plane of their movement.
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Uniaxial diarthrodial joints – These joints move only in one plane or axis. Bending and
straightening of the elbow joint is an example of the uniaxial diarthrodial joint.
Biaxial diarthrodial joints – These joints move in two planes or axes. Bending and
straightening in one axis and spreading and closing fingers in the second axis by the
knuckle joint or the metacarpophalangeal joint is an example of the biaxial diarthrodial
joint.
Multiaxial diarthrodial joints – These joints allow movement in multiple directions and
are also known as triaxial or polyaxial joints. Movement in the anterior-posterior
direction, medial-lateral direction, and rotation along the long axis by the hip joint and
shoulder joint are examples of the multiaxial diarthrodial joints.
Types of movement in a Diarthrodial or Synovial joint
Diarthrodial joints carry out several movements, which can be classified into four broad
categories:
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Gliding movement: Joints of the carpal and tarsal bones are involved in the gliding
movement. Gliding movement to a larger extent does not result in rotation or angular
movement of the bones; it occurs when relatively flat bones glide or move past each
other.
Angular movement: The joint movement that results in alteration in the joint angle is
known as an angular movement. Flexion, abduction, adduction extension,
hyperextension, and Circumduction are some of the angular movements.
o Flexion, or bending angular movement, occurs when the angle between the
bones is reduced, e.g., upward movement of the Elbow requires the forward
movement of the forearm.
o Extension is the reverse to that of flexion angular movement, wherein the angle
between the bones is increased for the resultant movement, for example,
straightening the limb post flexion movement.
o Abduction angular movement happens due to the movement of the bone away
from the midline of the body; for example, lateral movement of the arms or legs
to lift the load straight out to the side.
o Adduction angular movement is the opposite of abduction, wherein the
movement of the bone occurs toward the midline of the body, e.g., inward
movement of the limbs inward post-abduction.
While the circular limb movement is known as circumduction, e.g., circular motion
of the arm.
Rotational movement results from the rotational movement of the bones around the
longitudinal axis of the body, for e.g., side to side movement of the head. The rotational
movement that occurs towards the longitudinal axis or the body’s midline is known as
medial rotation. While the movement that occurs away from the longitudinal axis or the
midline of the body is known as lateral rotation.
Special movement includes the movement that can not be classified as
gliding/angular/rotational. Inversion, Eversion, Protraction, Retraction, Elevation,
Depression, Dorsiflexion, Plantar flexion, Supination, Pronation, and Opposition are
special joint movements.
READ: Control of Body Movement (Tutorial)
B. Based on the shape and structure of the joint
Shape and structure of the joint play a critical role in determining the joint movement.
Based on shape and structure, diarthrodial joints can be as follows:
Figure 2: Different types of diarthrodial joints based upon the shape and structure of the joints.
Credit: OpenTextBC.ca, CC 4.0.
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The planar joint is formed between reasonably flat or slightly curved bones. This kind of
joint exhibits limited movement, and movement occurs due to the gliding movement of
the bones. Hence, these joints are sometimes also referred to as gliding joints.
Example: Carpal bones and the tarsal bones of the hand and foot, respectively, are
examples of the planar joint.
Figure 3: Planar joint examples are carpal bones and the tarsal bones of the hand and foot.
Credit: credit: modification of work by Brian C. Goss (LumenLearning.com).
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The hinge joint is formed by the bones wherein one of the bones has a rounded end
while the other bone has a concave surface that houses the rounded end of the other
bone. Herein, only one bone moves while the other bone remains static.
Example: Elbow joint and Knee joint.
Figure 4: The elbow joint is an example of a hinge joint. Credit: BruceBlaus, CC 4.0.
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The pivot joint is formed by the bones wherein the rounded end of one of the bones fits
into the ring or the circular cavity formed by the other bone. The pivot joint is involved in
the rotational movement.
Example: Side to side and back and forth movement of the human head due to the joint
of the first and second vertebrae of the neck.
Figure 5: The pivot joint is responsible for the side-to-side movement of the human neck.
Credit: buzzle.com Pinterest.
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A condyloid joint or ellipsoidal joint is formed by an oval ended bone that fits into the
other bone’s oval-shaped hollow cavity. This joint is responsible for the angular
movement along two axes.
Example: Metacarpophalangeal joint or the Wrist joint that results in up and down & side
to side movement.
Figure 6: Condyloid joint at the knuckles. Source: Pinterest.
· The saddle joint is similar to the saddle shape wherein one convex bone surface fits
into the concave bone surface. However, the saddle joint also exhibits angular
movement to a larger extent compared to the condyloid joint.
Example: Thumb joint or carpometacarpal joint that causes its up and down & back and
forth movement.
Figure 7: Saddle joint in the thumb. Source: Toppr.com.
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The ball-and-socket joint is formed by a ball-shaped bone end that fits into the cupshaped cavity of the other bone. The ball and socket joint results in movement in all
directions and are the joint that can result in movement in a diverse range of the axis.
Therefore, Ball and socket joint can also be classified as the multiaxial diarthrodial joint.
Example- Shoulder and Hip joint.
Figure 8: Ball and socket joint in the shoulder joint and hip joint.
Source: Postcompetitiveinsight.com.
Diarthrodial Joint Examples
Examples are:
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Gliding joints (or planar joints) – e.g. the carpals of the wrist
Hinge joints – e.g. the elbow (between the humerus and the ulna) and knee
Pivot joints – e.g the wrist
Condyloid joints (or ellipsoidal joints) – e.g. the thumb (between the metacarpal and
carpal)
Saddle joints – e.g. the shoulder and hip joints
Ball and socket joints
These joints are the most movable type of joints in the human body in contrast
to cartilaginous joints (such as synchondroses and symphyses) and fibrous joints (such
as sutures, gomphoses, and syndesmoses).
Try to answer the quiz below to check what you have learned so far about
diarthrodial joints.
Quiz
Choose the best answer.
1. What is a diarthrodial joint?
An immovable joint
A movable joint
A joint that may or may not allow free movement
2. A diarthrodial joint
Synarthrosis joint
Synovial joint
Amphiarthrodial joint
3. The fluid-filled cavity is called ________
Synovial fluid
Synovial cavity
Articular capsule
4. What encloses a diarthrodial joint?
Synovial fluid
Synovial cavity
Articular capsule
5. Diarthrodial joint that moves in multiple directions
Uniaxial
Biaxial
Multiaxial
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