Joint Pain – Common Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Regardless of the originating cause, joint pain can lead to serious complications and even disability.

Joint pain commonly occurs in patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder. Patients complain of swelling, limited mobility and stiffness. This symptom comes to complete the picture, contributing to the reduced range of mobility. In fact, arthralgia or joint point is encountered in different types of arthritis, including the one that affects directly the bone. The pain derives from the discomfort caused by excessive production of bone, associated with cartilage degeneration. Bursitis is another diagnosis that can lead to joint pain, one that can be easily discovered through clinical inspection.

There have been mentioned a few causes of joint pain. The truth is that medical literature presents an incredible number of causes, this symptom being present in young and adult people alike. Skin disease, such as lupus can produce joint pain in certain patients. Gout, a disease caused by a defect in the metabolism of the uric acid, associates extreme pain in the big toe with arthralgia. An entire range of infectious disease, such as Lyme disease, rheumatic fever and even hepatitis can in the end cause joint pain. And last, but not least, there are various types of injuries that are likely to affect different joints in the body.

The treatment for joint pain that has been produced due to an injury constitutes of pain-relieving medication and rest. After the inflammatory period passes, the patient is instructed to exercise as much as possible, concentrating on stretches. Complementary treatments include massage therapy and heat applications. Among the drugs that can be recommended for joint pain one can find acetaminophen (Paracetamol), aspirin and varied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medication is recommended for both the pain and the associated swelling of the joint.

When it comes to joint pain caused by injuries, it is important to understand that all of the elements constituting the articulation are affected. That means that a strain will have an impact on ligaments, tendons and bursa. Pain will come as a natural response to the injury and it will take some time before the injury heals properly. In rare situations, arthralgia can appear due to the patient being allergic to a certain medication that was administered.

The diagnosis of joint paint is based on the clinical examination of the patient and his/her medical history. The treatment chosen depends of course on each individual case, ranging from simple rest and analgesics to physical therapy and joint replacement. Surgery is only recommended in the case of joints that cannot be recuperated, causing the patient to suffer from intense pain. Physical therapy sessions include stretching, muscle toning but also recuperation after surgical interventions. Pain management might represent a very important thing for a patient who suffers from arthralgia. The doctor will decide which medication is more appropriate for the condition the patient is suffering from.

As joints represent essential elements when it comes to moving and functioning every day, it is quite obvious why joint pain can cause such a discomfort. This is why it is highly essential for the condition to be diagnosed fast and a treatment recommended before serious complications occur. The suggestions for joint pain will differ according to the patient – athletes will need a speedy recovery, while an elderly patient might need a longer time to heal and regain the former functional capacity. Obese people are also facing a high risk for joint pain due to all the additional weight they are carrying. For them, it is important to lose some of that weight as well so as to escape from joint pain.