Joint pain
Since the early 1900s, Baylor’s orthopaedics program has been helping people feel better. We perform nearly 12,500 orthopaedic surgeries every year. In addition to orthopaedic specialists on the medical staff at many Baylor facilities, we also offer focused centers including the Baylor Scoliosis Center, Baylor Spine Center, the Human Motion and Performance Lab and specialized outpatient therapy programs. Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas has also been named one of the top 50 orthopaedic programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about our comprehensive orthopaedic programs across the metroplex.
| Sections: | ||||||||
Definition
Joint pain can affect one or more joints.
See also:
- Arthritis (inflammation of joints)
- Bursitis
- Muscle pain
Alternative Names
Stiffness in a joint; Pain - joints; Arthralgia
Considerations
Joint pain can be caused by many types of injuries or conditions. No matter what causes it, joint pain can be very bothersome.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the joints. Osteoarthritis involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of cartilage at a joint. It is very common in adults older than 45 and can cause joint pain.
Joint pain may also be caused by bursitis (inflammation of the bursae). The bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion and pad bony prominences, allowing muscles and tendons to move freely over the bone.
Causes
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Bursitis
- Chondromalacia patellae
- Gout (especially found in the big toe)
- Infectious diseases, including
- Epstein-Barr viral syndrome
- Hepatitis
- Influenza
- Lyme disease
- Measles (rubeola)
- Mumps
- Parvovirus
- Rheumatic fever
- Rubella (German measles)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Injury, including fracture
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteomyelitis
- Septic arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Unusual exertion or overuse, including strains or sprains
Home Care
Follow prescribed therapy in treating the underlying cause.
For nonarthritis joint pain, both rest and exercise are important. Warm baths, massage, and stretching exercises should be used as frequently as possible.
Anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve pain and swelling. Consult your health care provider before giving aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to children.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history. The following questions may help identify the cause of your joint pain:
- Which joint hurts? Is the pain on one side or both sides?
- How long have you been having this pain? Have you had it before?
- Did this pain begin suddenly and severely, or slowly and mildly?
- Is the pain constant or does it come and go? Has the pain become more severe?
- What started your pain?
- Have you injured your joint?
- Have you had an illness or fever?
- Does resting the joint reduce the pain or make it worse?
- Does moving the joint reduce the pain or make it worse?
- Are certain positions comfortable? Does keeping the joint elevated help?
- Do medications, massage, or applying heat reduce the pain?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- Is there any numbness?
- Can you bend and straighten the joint? Does the joint feel stiff?
- Are your joints stiff in the morning? If so, how long does the stiffness last?
- What makes the stiffness better?
Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended. A procedure called arthrocentesis may be needed to remove fluid from the sore joint.
Reviewed By: Neil J. Gonter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
