What is Joint Pain?
Joint pain refers to discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body's joints. Common causes of joint pain include:
- Arthritis - This is inflammation of the joints and encompasses over 100 types of arthritis conditions. The most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
- Injuries - Sprains, fractures, dislocations, and tendonitis (inflammation of tendons) can lead to acute or chronic joint pain.
- Medical conditions - Lupus, Lyme disease, thyroid disorders, and diabetes can cause joint pain.
Joint pain symptoms really depend on the underlying cause but can include:
- Stiffness after periods of inactivity
- Swelling around joints
- Reduced range of motion
- Tenderness when pressure is applied
The specific joints affected also vary:
- Osteoarthritis often impacts weight-bearing joints like hips, knees, and spine.
- Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in smaller joints - hands and feet.
Treating joint pain focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function. Common approaches include:
- Pain medications - acetaminophen, NSAIDs, etc.
- Hot and cold therapies
- Exercise and physical therapy
- Weight loss
- Assistive devices - canes, splints
- For advanced cases, surgery or joint injections
While joint pain is very common, especially as we age, severe or persistent pain should always be evaluated by a doctor. Catching conditions like arthritis early can help halt disease progression.