Joint Structure

Most of the joints in the body are synovial joints. Let's look at the knee joint in more detail as it can be classed as a typical synovial joint.
All these joints allow movement and thus require a lubrication for the joints to function properly: synovial fluid.
What is synovial fluid?
- it keeps the bones slightly apart, protecting their cartilage coverings from wear and tear
- it absorbs shocks, again protecting the cartilage
- it lubricates the joint, helping it to work freely and easily
- it acts as a filter, letting nutrients reach the cartilage, but blocking the passage of harmful cells and substances.
Due to the change in the synovial fluid - and for other, more complex reasons - the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. In some places, in fact, the cartilage may eventually disappear altogether. The thinning of the synovial fluid and wearing away of the cartilage lead to the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which include pain, stiffness and swelling.

- The sodium hyaluronate in the joint space becomes depolymerised and fragmented.
- The synovial fluid becomes less viscous and its lubricating, shock-absorbing and filtering abilites are reduced.
- The coating over the surface of the joint breaks down, leaving the cartilage exposed to mechanical and inflammatory damage.
- The synovial membrane becomes inflamed.The cartilage is gradually destroyed.
At My Foot Doctor we offer a wide range of treatments to help prevent and treat joint destruction, we offer the latest innovative treatments such as Ostenil injections, which aims to replace the hyaluronic acid and can help lubricate the joint, and prevent pain and swelling. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, has also been clinical proven to be beneficial in treating joint destruction by reducing pain and inflammation, this treatment also triggers the body's natural healing mechanism to create new collagen and may prevent further joint destruction by regenerating new tissue.
If you would like further information about the treatments our podiatrist offers for joint pain, please contact her direct by call or text on:07985 687 770, or visit our contact page