How to Train and Relieve Joint Stiffness?

Update Date: 2024-05-16 Source: Network

Our joints allow us to move more flexibly, but some people may experience joint stiffness due to conditions such as joint adhesion, which can lead to a reduction in the range of motion. To alleviate joint stiffness, the primary approach is to treat the underlying disease. Additionally, massage, physiotherapy, or external application of traditional Chinese medicine can be used to alleviate discomfort. Joint stiffness, also known as joint stiffness, refers to the impairment of normal joint functions (such as flexion, extension, rotation, etc.) to varying degrees, manifesting as a decrease in the range of motion. This condition is distinct from joint ankylosis, where joint function is completely lost.

Treatment for joint stiffness involves addressing the underlying disease and, as appropriate, adopting therapies such as local massage, physiotherapy, external application of traditional Chinese medicine, joint functional exercise machines, and manual release techniques. In severe cases, surgical procedures such as joint adhesion release may be necessary.

The causes and common diseases associated with joint stiffness include those that lead to joint adhesion, such as edema, repeated injuries, passive traction, manual release, infection, foreign body irritation, long-term plaster fixation, incorrect internal fixation with steel pins or plates, surgical trauma, untreated bruises, persistent swelling, and delayed exercise after fracture healing. Joint diseases, especially rheumatic atrophic arthritis, are prone to peripheral fixation and stiffness. This includes conditions such as acute suppurative inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, septic arthritis, and bone tuberculosis, which can lead to joint ankylosis.

The principles of treatment for joint stiffness include the following:

1. For patients with mild symptoms, non-surgical therapies such as local massage, physiotherapy, external application of traditional Chinese medicine, joint functional exercise machines, and manual release techniques can be used. These therapies are also suitable for patients with contraindications to surgery and as adjunctive treatments before or after surgery.

2. For patients with severe symptoms, surgical procedures such as joint adhesion release may be necessary. If there is accompanying fracture malunion, correction of the deformity should generally be performed first. If there is local soft tissue defect, repair surgery may also be required. Active and aggressive joint functional exercise should be started as early as possible to restore joint function. Although joint functional exercise can be painful, it is still necessary after joint adhesion release surgery.