There are several causes of joint pain. The varying causes result in the different treatments
of joint pain. Joints are essential parts of the body that help your limbs move. They form the
connections between your bones, provide support and help you move. Any damage to the
joints from injury or disease can obstruct your movements and cause a lot of pain. Joint
discomfort is a common occurrence and usually felt in the hips, knees, hands, feet, or spine.
The pain can be constant, or it may come and go. Sometimes, your joint can feel stiff, sore,
or achy and some people have also experienced a burning or throbbing sensation.
In addition, you may feel stiffness in the joint during the morning and later feel better with
activity and movement. Joint pain can limit a person’s ability to partake in daily activities. If
the severity increases, it can also affect the quality of life. That’s why, the treatments of joint pain
should focus not only on the affected joint but also on the concerned functions and
activities. Most causes of joint pain are mild and can be resolved without any long-term
complications. However, some may require treatment for a longer time.
Causes:
Many factors and conditions can lead to joint pain. Your age is one such factor. Generally,
joint pain is the result of infection, injury, inflammation, or illness. It can affect any part of
your body, but knee pain is most common, followed by hip and shoulder pain. The causes
differ for children and adults and it may also be due to the different structures in or around
the joint. However, the most common causes are:
Osteoarthritis – a ‘wear and tear’ of the joint, is a common type of arthritis. It
happens over time when the protective cushion in between the bones wears away.
At first, it may be in just one joint, but as time goes on, it affects several joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis – is an autoimmune disorder that causes pain and swelling in
the joints. Constant inflammation over time can damage the affected joints.
Gout – is a form of arthritis that most often occurs in the big toe joint. However, it
can go on to affect other joints as well.
Bursitis – is caused due to overuse and when sacs of fluid that help cushion your
joints, become inflamed. It is usually found in the elbow, shoulder, hip, or knee.
Viral Infections – such as rash or fever, may lead to joint pains. As a result, many
joints may feel painful, or you may experience pain in all the joints.
Injuries – such as sprains, strains and other injuries.
Treatments of Joint Pain:
Joint pain can range from debilitating to just mildly irritating. It can go away after a few
weeks or last for several weeks and months. In addition, the swelling and pain in the joints
can affect your quality of life. Whatever the cause of your joint pain, you can manage it with
physical therapy, medication, or other alternative treatments.
Typically, a doctor will first try to diagnose and treat the condition that is causing your joint
pain. Then prescribe pain medication to relieve the pain or refer you to a physical therapist
for rehabilitation. The goal is to reduce inflammation and pain and preserve joint function.
