Understanding Your Joints in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Joints are the places in your body where two or more bones meet to allow movement. Every bone in the body – except for the small hyoid bone in the throat – connects with at least one other bone at a joint. The shape and structure of each joint depends on how it needs to move and what it needs to do.

In medical terms, a joint is also called an articulation. In general, the more movement a joint allows, the higher its risk of injury. That’s because a greater range of motion usually means less stability and strength in that joint.

In Grand Rapids, many people experience joint issues related to sports, outdoor activities, winter slips and falls, and arthritis made worse by cold, damp Michigan winters. Understanding how your joints work can help you protect them and know when to seek care from a local provider such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health.

Types of Joints and How They Move

Joints are classified by how much movement they allow. There are three broad categories:

1. Immovable Joints

These joints keep bones in close contact but do not allow movement.

  • Example: The bones of the skull
  • The joints of the skull are called sutures
  • Their main job is protection, not motion (for example, protecting the brain)

2. Slightly Movable Joints

These joints allow limited movement. Two or more bones are held together tightly, but there is still a small amount of motion.

  • Example: The vertebrae of the spine
  • Provide both support and flexibility, allowing you to bend and twist without the spine being too loose

3. Freely Movable Joints (Synovial Joints)

Most of the joints in the human body are freely movable. These are the joints you use for walking, reaching, lifting, and most daily activities.

  • Examples: Shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, wrists, fingers, ankles, jaw
  • These joints are the most common source of joint pain and injury seen in clinics and hospitals across Grand Rapids

Types of Freely Movable (Synovial) Joints

Freely movable joints are further divided into six main types, based on how they move.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

  • The rounded head of one bone fits into the cup-shaped socket of another
  • Allows movement in all directions, including rotation
  • Examples:
    • Shoulder joint
    • Hip joint

These joints give you a wide range of motion but are more prone to dislocation and strain, especially in active adults and student athletes in West Michigan.

Saddle Joint

  • Allows movement back and forth and side to side
  • Does not allow rotation
  • Example:
    • Joint at the base of the thumb

Thumb pain and arthritis in this joint are common in people who do manual work, typing, or repetitive hand tasks in the Grand Rapids workforce.

Hinge Joint

  • Works like a door hinge
  • Allows movement in one direction (one plane) – opening and closing
  • Examples:
    • Knee joint
    • Elbow joint

Knee injuries from basketball, running, skiing, and winter slips on ice are frequent reasons for orthopedic visits in Grand Rapids.

Condyloid Joint

  • Allows movement but not rotation
  • Permits bending, straightening, and side-to-side motion
  • Examples:
    • Jaw (temporomandibular joint)
    • Finger joints

Jaw pain and finger arthritis are common, especially in older adults and people with repetitive hand use.

Pivot Joint

  • One bone rotates around a ring formed by another bone and surrounding tissue
  • Example:
    • Joint between the first and second vertebrae in the neck, allowing you to turn your head side to side

These joints allow rotation without displacing the bones, such as when you shake your head “no.”

Gliding (Plane) Joint

  • Smooth, flat surfaces slide over one another
  • Allows limited movement in multiple directions
  • Examples:
    • Wrist joints
    • Some joints in the ankle and between small bones in the foot

Gliding joints are often involved in overuse injuries and sprains, especially for people who work with their hands or stand for long periods.

How Joints Create Movement

Joints allow the body to move in several basic ways:

  • Sliding movement

    • One broad, flat surface slides across another
    • Examples: Bones in the wrist or ankle

  • Bending and straightening (flexion and extension)

    • The angle between two bones increases or decreases
    • Common in the long bones of the arms and legs
    • Example: Bending and straightening the elbow or knee

  • Circular movement (circumduction)

    • Seen in ball-and-socket joints
    • Example: Moving the shoulder in a large circle

  • Rotation

    • Bone turns around its own axis without changing position
    • Example: The head turning from side to side as the cervical vertebrae rotate on one another

Staying active year-round in Grand Rapids—whether that’s walking along the Grand River, biking local trails, or using indoor gyms during winter—helps keep your joints mobile and healthy.

Structure of a Healthy Joint

Several structures work together to keep your joints stable and moving smoothly:

  • Ligaments

    • Tough bands of connective tissue that connect bone to bone
    • Help hold joints together and provide stability

  • Cartilage

    • Smooth, slippery tissue covering the ends of bones
    • Prevents friction as bones move against one another
    • Acts as a shock absorber, especially important in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips

  • Synovial membrane and synovial fluid

    • In freely movable joints, the entire joint is enclosed in a joint capsule lined with a synovial membrane
    • This membrane produces synovial fluid, which:
      • Lubricates the joint
      • Reduces friction
      • Provides extra cushioning against impact – especially important on hard winter sidewalks in Michigan

  • Tendons

    • Thick, tough bands of connective tissue that attach muscles to bones
    • When muscles contract, tendons pull on bones to create movement

  • Bursae (singular: bursa)

    • Small, fluid-filled sacs located where tendons pass close to bone
    • Filled with synovial fluid
    • Help reduce friction and cushion pressure points

Common Joint Problems in Grand Rapids, MI

Joint pain is a frequent reason people in Grand Rapids visit their primary care doctor, orthopedic specialist, or physical therapist. Some common causes include:

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation in one or more joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement.

  • Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)

    • Most common type, especially in older adults
    • Caused by wear and tear of cartilage over time
    • Often affects knees, hips, hands, and spine
    • Can worsen in cold, damp Michigan weather, when joints may feel stiffer and more painful

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

    • An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joint lining
    • Causes pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness, often in hands, wrists, and feet
    • Can affect people of many ages, including working-age adults in the Grand Rapids area

  • Gout

    • A type of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup in a joint
    • Often affects the big toe, but can involve other joints
    • Causes sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling

Bursitis

  • Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa (the fluid-filled sac that cushions bones, tendons, and muscles near joints).
  • Commonly affects:
    • Shoulder
    • Elbow
    • Hip
    • Knee
  • Often caused by repetitive motion, pressure, or overuse, which can be common in certain jobs and sports in West Michigan.

Tendonitis

  • Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon.
  • Often caused by:
    • Overuse (sports, work, or hobbies)
    • Repetitive movements
  • Common sites:
    • Shoulder (rotator cuff tendonitis)
    • Elbow (tennis or golfer’s elbow)
    • Knee
    • Achilles tendon

Injuries

Joint injuries are common in Grand Rapids due to sports, outdoor recreation, and winter conditions.

  • Sprains – stretching or tearing of ligaments
  • Strains – stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons
  • Fractures – broken bones involving or near a joint
  • Dislocations – bones forced out of their normal joint position

Slips and falls on snow and ice are a major cause of wrist, hip, and ankle injuries during West Michigan winters.

Infection (Septic Arthritis)

  • A joint infection can cause:
    • Severe pain
    • Swelling
    • Redness
    • Fever
  • This is a medical emergency and requires urgent care at a local emergency department or urgent care center in Grand Rapids.

When to Seek Joint Care in Grand Rapids

Contact a healthcare professional in Grand Rapids if you have:

  • Joint pain lasting more than a few days
  • Swelling, warmth, or redness around a joint
  • Joint stiffness that does not improve with gentle movement
  • Difficulty walking, using your hands, or doing daily activities
  • A joint that looks deformed or cannot be moved
  • Sudden, severe joint pain, especially with fever (possible infection or gout)

Local Joint Health Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re experiencing joint pain or mobility problems, you have several local options:

  • Primary Care Provider (PCP)

    • First stop for most joint concerns
    • Can evaluate, order imaging, prescribe medications, and refer to specialists

  • Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine Clinics

    • Available through:
      • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
      • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
      • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
      • Mercy Health
    • Treat arthritis, sports injuries, fractures, and chronic joint problems

  • Physical Therapists & Exercise Physiologists

    • Help with:
      • Strengthening muscles around joints
      • Improving flexibility and balance
      • Recovering after injury or surgery
    • Many clinics across Grand Rapids and Kent County offer joint-focused rehab programs.

  • Chiropractors and Osteopathic Physicians (DOs)

    • May assist with joint alignment, mobility, and pain management as part of a broader care plan.

  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health Resources

    • Provide information on chronic disease management, physical activity programs, and community resources that support joint health and overall wellness.

  • Local Exercise and Wellness Centers

    • Community centers, fitness facilities, and university-affiliated programs in Grand Rapids often offer low-impact exercise classes, which are ideal for protecting your joints—especially during the winter months when outdoor activity is limited.

Key Points About Joints

  • The more movement a joint allows, the higher the risk of injury, because greater range of motion often means less stability.
  • Smooth cartilage on the ends of bones helps prevent friction and absorb shock as your joints move.
  • Ligaments, tendons, synovial fluid, and bursae all work together to support and protect your joints.
  • In Grand Rapids, cold winters, active lifestyles, and aging populations make joint health especially important.
  • Early evaluation of joint pain by a local Grand Rapids healthcare provider can help prevent long-term damage and keep you active in every season.