JOINTS, LIGAMENTS, AND BURSAS Joints and
ligaments connect bones to each other. At the ends of bones are smooth, gliding
joint surfaces which make possible easy, painless movement. A joint consists of
a fibrous sheath attached to the smooth ends of the bones. Nature also
provides, for the ends of those bones that take part in body movements, a
special material, cartilage, which has a resiliency and smoothness that enable
fingers, arms, and legs to move many thousands of times daily without making us
conscious of their activities. To bind bones together and strengthen the
joints, there is a special type of tough "binding cord" called
tendon. Tendons are so firmly attached to the bones that only an exceptional
strain will tear them away.
A final element in the smooth, effective
movement of joints is the bursa. This is a sac or bag with smooth surfaces
which contains a small amount of lubricating material. Everyday care of the
joints, ligaments and bursas is important. An injured joint, torn ligament, or
inflamed bursa-as anyone who has ever suffered one knows-can interfere
seriously with enjoyment of life and may ~en be incapacitating. It's essential
that you work with, not against, nature so you impose no extra stress on
joints, ligaments, and bursas. For one thing, that means maintenance of normal
weight; gross over- weight overloads the joints of knees and feet every time
you stand or walk.
Good posture also is important for keeping
joints in good condition, distributing weight as nature engineered the body to
handle it. And good physical condition, which helps to assure good muscle tone,
helps to avoid undue strain. We suggest that, in connection with proper care of
joints, ligaments, and bursas, you read sections of this book dealing with
posture and exercise (page 80) and weight reduction (page 59) if you are over-
weight. Everyone should know the proper technique for lifting objects -by
bending the knees and bringing into play the leg muscles to help with the
lifting rather than relying entirely upon the muscles of the back.
There are many injuries and diseases that can
affect the bones, joints, ligaments, and bursas. These are discussed later in
this book-e.g., arthritis and rheumatism, fractures, backaches, bursitis, bone
diseases.
