Joint Pain

Joints are the areas where two or more bones meet. Most joints are mobile, allowing the bones to move. Joints consist of the following:

• Cartilage - at the joint, the bones are covered with cartilage (a connective tissue), which is made up of cells and fibers and is wear-resistant. Cartilage helps reduce the friction of movement.



• Synovial membrane - a tissue called the synovial membrane lines the joint and seals it into a joint capsule. The synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid (a clear, sticky fluid) around the joint to lubricate it.



• Ligaments - strong ligaments (tough, elastic bands of connective tissue) surround the joint to give support and limit the joint's movement.



• Tendons - tendons (another type of tough connective tissue) on each side of a joint attach to muscles that control movement of the joint.



• Bursas - fluid-filled sacs, called bursas, between bones, ligaments, or other adjacent structures help cushion the friction in a joint.



• Synovial fluid - a clear, sticky fluid secreted by the synovial membrane.

• Collagen: a fibrous protein. Collagen is also the building block of skin, tendon, bone, and other connective tissues.



• Proteoglycans: a combination of proteins and sugars. Strands of proteoglycans and collagen weave together and form a mesh-like tissue. This allows cartilage to flex and absorb physical shock.



• Chondrocytes: cells that are found all through the cartilage. They mainly help cartilage stay healthy and grow. Sometimes, however, they release substances called enzymes that destroy collagen and other proteins. Researchers are trying to learn more about chondrocytes.

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