If you’ve written off a stiff knee or cranky neck as “just getting older,” there may be more to consider. Helensvale chiropractor Dr Luke Hennessy sees arthritic changes in people of different ages, including younger adults with a history of significant injury or trauma.
The Twenty-Something Who Already Has It
Arthritis might sound like an older person’s word, something that appears after decades of wear. But osteoarthritis can affect younger people too.
“I see arthritis in people in their 20s where they may have had a car accident when they’re a teenager. And at 25, there are early signs of arthritic change in their neck, for example,” says Dr Hennessy.
Previous joint injury is one factor associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis, which is why your history can be an important part of understanding what is happening now.
How Dr Hennessy Thinks About an Injured Joint
Here’s where our chiropractor’s perspective gets interesting. One way he explains restricted joint function is by comparing it with what happens around a fracture.
When you break a bone, movement around the injured area becomes restricted while the body repairs it. Around a painful or poorly functioning joint, muscles can also tighten protectively and movement may become restricted.
It doesn’t mean an arthritic joint and a fracture are the same thing. Instead, the analogy helps explain why Dr Hennessy looks at more than structural changes alone. He also wants to understand how the joint is moving, how the surrounding muscles are responding and whether previous injuries may be relevant.
Why “It Doesn’t Really Bother Me” Isn’t the Whole Picture
Who hasn’t shrugged off a stiff shoulder because it isn’t stopping them from getting through the day?
Dr Hennessy considers both function and structure when assessing someone. A joint may have changes to its structure while also having functional factors, such as restricted movement or surrounding muscle tension.
That distinction matters because structural arthritic changes cannot simply be turned back. What can be assessed is how the joint and surrounding areas are currently functioning and what may be appropriate for that individual.
What If You’ve Had a Past Injury and Feel Fine?
None of this is a reason to panic about every old sprain. Having an injury does not mean you’ll develop arthritis.
But if you’ve experienced significant trauma, such as a car accident, bad fall or fracture, and you’re now noticing increasing stiffness or changes in how a joint moves, it may be worth having it assessed.
That broader perspective shapes the approach at Family Health Professionals Helensvale. Your history, current joint function, structural changes and surrounding muscles can all be considered when determining whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
Has an Old Injury Left You Feeling Stiff?
If a past injury is now accompanied by stiffness or changes in how you move, we can assess your joint function and discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you. Contact our Helensvale clinic today to schedule an appointment.
Book an Arthritis Assessment