Why Are My Knees & Joints Sore?

Sore joints and knees are common complaints, especially as we get older. There are a number of causes. Being inactive is one of the most important ones, according to the painfoundation.org.

Causes

• Your joints may be sore because you have the flu or because you are getting older. Most of us will get osteoarthritis, and some will get rheumatoid arthritis, which both result in sore joints. According to Medline Plus, knees are often sore or painful "from overuse, poor form during physical activity, not warming up or cooling down, or inadequate stretching."

Referred Pain

• Your soreness may originate from somewhere other than the joint where you feel it. This is known as referred pain. According to Dr. Daniel Mazanec, a rheumatologist and director of the Spine Center at Cleveland Clinic, referred pain is “pain in an area of the body that is distant from the source of the pain," an article on reliableplant.com reports.

Effects

• Many people are still reluctant to move their bodies because their joints are painful. Painfoundation.org points out that, "the conventional wisdom used to be that exercising would increase joint problems."

Prevention/Solution

• You must exercise to relieve your sore joints. According to painfoundation.org, "Years of research findings now show that the less you move your joints, the weaker and more painful they become." Stretch and strengthen your muscles, and do aerobics. Start slowly.

Considerations

• Contact your doctor for a full physical examination if your sore joints get worse with exercise. Something else may be wrong.