smallest bone
ody is the stirrup
inside your ear.
femur. This is the bone from your hip to your knee.
There are three main types of joints: fixed, slightly movable
and freely movable. Fixed joints, such as those in your skull, are
locked in place and immovable; none of the bones move.
The joints in the vertebrae of your spine are examples of slightly movable
joints.These move a little, but not as much as freely movable joints
(such as those found in your knees or elbows). Slightly movable joints
are connected to each other by pads of cartilage.
Most of the joints in your body are more movable; these are also called
synovial joints. There are six types of synovial joints.
Types of joints
Ellipsoidal joints
allow bending, extension and rocking from
side to side, but the range is limited. The joint at the base of
your index finger is an example of an ellipsoidal joint.
Ball and socket joints,
found in your hips and shoulders, are the
most movable type of joint. Think about the wide range of motion
you have in these parts of your body. Since the joint in your
shoulder is so loose, the shoulder is your most moveable joint.
Hinge joints
are found in your knees and elbows.
These joints operate like the opening and closing of a
door; they can flex and extend in only one direction.
The pivot joint
is found in your neck.
It can turn and twist from side to side.
The saddle joint
has greater movement
than a hinge joint or a gliding joint
because it allows movement in
two directions. The only type of
saddle joint in your body
is in your thumbs.
Gliding joints,
which move mostly sideways, are found be-
tween the surfaces of two flat bones held together by ligaments.
Your wrists and ankles are examples of gliding joints.
How to protect and strengthen your joints
The steps you take
to protect your bones
will also protect your
joints. There’s more
you can do to keep
your joints work-
ing smoothly.
For example,
aerobic
exercise
(also called
cardiovascu-
lar exercise)
such as swim-
ming and biking
take the stress
off of your
joints.
Strength
training also helps.
By strengthening
the muscles around your joints, you are
protecting your joints from harm. Light
handheld weights or resistance bands
strengthen muscles in ways that aerobic
exercise doesn’t.
Building flexibility is important for
your joint health, too. Try some simple
stretching exercises or yoga. Remember
that like any physical activity, it’s
important to warm up before you begin
even a mild workout. Finally, remember
to stand up straight. Maintaining good
posture protects joints in your neck,
back, hips and knees.
What ‘double jointed’ really means
The term “double jointed” is used to describe people
who have a larger range of motion than a joint can
typically perform. For example: You know that your
elbow can move back and forth, but some people are
able to extend their arms beyond what is considered a
normal extension. The scientific term is joint hypermo-
bility, but we might call those people double jointed.
How come some people have this while others don’t?
It mostly has to do with genetics, so don’t push your
joints beyond what they are naturally able to do. In
fact, there are some dangers associated with hypermo-
bility, including an increased risk for arthritis.
