What Is Joint Instability?
Instability happens when muscles, ligaments, and bones weaken. The job of a ligament is to hold bones in place and allow them to move properly. A muscle’s job is to move your bones so you can move your body. If ligaments and muscles become weak, they cannot allow your joints, and consequently, your body to move properly. Over time weakness compounds and as we age balance becomes an issue.
Symptoms of joint instability and weakness
Most people think this means that my joints are continually coming out of place. While this may be true with someone who has multiple injuries to one joint or a ligament disorder. Instability is one of the things that happens when you are injured in your adulthood and ignore the injury. Back issues, knee, injuries etc.. This leads to inflammation and range of motion issues. These issues then become your normal in your 30s 40s and 50s and your joints become unstable a little at a time. Many people are not concerned until they are getting into their senior years and are having mobility issues.
Seek care in your 30s-50s if you:
- Have a chronic injury that never seems to heal 100%
- Seem to walk with an abnormal gait.
- Uneven wear on shoes
- Uneven Posture (clothes that don’t seem to lay straight)
- Feel like you are losing strength.
- Feel like you are off balance
- Do not feel as stable when walking on uneven ground or stairs
Treatment for instability, weakness, and balance
Chiropractic care will ensure that the joints have the freedom to move in the proper range of motion. PT will strengthen the muscles and tendons to keep the joint in alignment. This will allow the body to function and improve strength which in turn will improve balance. Falls is the number one worry for seniors. Start planning for strong golden years now.
