Guide To Symptoms Of Enthesopathy

Pain Around Affected Tendon Or Ligament

Nociceptors, which are also known as pain receptors, refer to free nerve endings found in almost every part of the body including the muscles, skin, bones, joints, and internal organs. These receptors are responsible for detecting and transmitting harmful (pain) stimuli to the nervous system and the brain. The information being transmitted by pain receptors is usually complex and may include details such as the location and intensity of the stimuli.

Pain in the joints mostly originates from the free nerve endings on the synovium, bone, tendons, ligaments, joint capsule, and the surrounding muscles. Over time, the protective sheath covering the joints (cartilage) becomes worn out. As a result, stress and pressure amass in the surrounding structures, leading to friction and inflammation.

As the body tries to make new cartilage, fluids gradually fill the void. The wear and tear on the cartilage also trigger the release of inflammatory materials in the joint. The increased damage on the cartilage causes the individual to experience pain around affected tendon or ligament. The intensity of the pain on the affected joint is an indicator of the extent of damage to that joint.

Learn more about how to spot enthesopathy.