If you've ever tried eating with chopsticks, you know they can be a pain to learn how to use.
如果你有用筷子吃过饭，你就知道学习使用它就是一种痛苦。
According to a Boston University study, ever since their inventionnearly five-thousand years ago, chopsticks have been a source of literal pain by exacerbating the onset of osteoarthritis in old age.
波士顿大学的一项研究表明，因为他们发明筷子是在近5000年以前，所以筷子是造成在老年时期产生骨关节炎的原因之一。
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints caused by repeated use of a particular joint.
骨关节炎是一种由重复使用某一关节而造成的关节疾病。
Normally theends of bones are covered with a shock-absorber-like pad of springycartilage that helps boneends move more easily.
通常情况下，骨头的末端是被一层类似可以防震的、有弹性的软骨覆盖的垫层。
When cartilage wears down, bone end rubs against bone end on a joint, causingstiffness and often extreme pain.
当软骨被磨损了，骨头末端就会与关节末端产生摩擦，造成坚硬，而且时常极度疼痛。
Over time, an unprotected joint can become deformed andparts of the rubbing bones can wear away and chip off, causing even more discomfort.
随着时间的推移，这个不受保护的关节就会变得畸形，与之摩擦的骨头部分会因为摩擦而磨损，造成更多的不适。
What does this have to do with chopsticks?
这与筷子又有什么关系呢？
Any repetitive motion involving the fingers canamplify the effects of naturally occurring cartilagedecay.
包括手指在内的任何一个重复性的动作都会比自然发生的软骨衰退效果严重。
If you've ever used chopsticks youknow that pinching them together puts stress on the thumb and forefinger.
如果你有用过筷子你就会知道将它们夹在一起会将压力施在大拇指和食指上。
Imagine making this motion at every meal every day of your life and you begin to understand howchopsticks can harm your joints.
试想如果你每天每餐都这样，你就会明白筷子是如何伤害你的关节了。
According to the Boston University study, the thumb joint isthe primary victim of chopstick use.
根据波士顿大学的研究，使用筷子的主要受害部位就是大拇指。
If you're an adventurousdiner and occasionally like to eat Asian food using authentic diningimplements, don't worry.
如果你是个爱冒险的食客，不时的喜欢吃要使用点用餐工具的亚洲食物，不要担心。
Only regular use over many years is cause for alarm.
因为只有超过数年的定期使用才会造成危险。
