Common Causes of Joint Pain

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is a broad term that refers to soreness, discomfort, or aching in a joint, ranging from mild to severe. There are several contributing factors to joint pain, such as age, weight, personal history, and general health.[1]

Joints are the connections in the body where two or more bones meet. Joints are important because they provide support and allow your skeleton to bend and move. There are joints all throughout the body, including in the shoulders, hips, knees, and feet.

Joint pain can sometimes be caused by a disease, such as arthritis or gout. In other cases, joint pain might be caused by something other than an underlying disease, such as an injury, overuse, weakness, or infection. An Australian study demonstrated how joint pain can cause functional impairment and impact daily activities.[2]

What are the symptoms of joint pain?

The symptoms of joint pain vary between different people, and will depend on the affected joint.

Common symptoms of joint pain include:

• Joint stiffness

• Decreased range of motion

• Aching or soreness in the affected joint

• Heat or warmth in the affected joint

• Mild swelling

• Difficulty with daily activities, such as walking or kneeling

• Trouble sleeping on the affected side

• A ‘grinding’ or ‘grating’ sensation in the joint.

It is important to discuss your symptoms with a doctor, particularly if you are unsure about your pain or if you have any unexplained symptoms.

What causes joint pain?

Joint pain is common, especially with older age.[1] Joint pain is often experienced in the knees, hips, spine, hands, and feet, and can be caused by various conditions.

Common causes of joint pain include:

Arthritis

1. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Arthritis is more frequent in older age groups, but can affect people at any age. There are two main subsets of arthritis:

2. Osteoarthritis (OA) - OA is a type of arthritis that occurs when there is a degeneration of the cartilage in the joint.[3] Cartilage is important as it cushions and supports the joint. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and can affect everyday activities.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - RA is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its healthy cells, causing joint inflammation and even joint deformity over time. RA is a chronic condition that often affects the hands and feet joints, but also other areas of the body.

Injury

Another common cause of joint pain is injury. This is particularly common in athletes and contact sports. Injury to a joint may also occur in an accident, such as a motor vehicle collision or a fall.

Infection

Infectious diseases, such as influenza, rubella, or hepatitis, can cause joint pain. In most cases, infections can be treated with medications, however joint pain can become chronic if it is not treated in a timely manner.

Other causes of joint pain

Joint pain may originate from other sources, such as:

• Overuse of the joint

• Strains or sprains

• Repetitive movements, especially under high loads

• Osteoporosis, or bone degeneration

• Tendinopathy, or overload of the tendons

• Bursitis

• Gout

• Obesity

• Cancer

• Diseases such as lupus, rickets, or polio

• Mood disorders, such as depression or stress

• Fibromyalgia.

Joint Pain Diagnosis

Your doctor can assess your joint pain. They may ask several questions about your pain and perform a physical examination. Additional imaging, such as an X-ray, and blood tests may be required to screen for certain causes of joint pain. This will help diagnose joint pain, which is important before any treatment is commenced.

Joint Pain Treatment Options

Joint pain can sometimes resolve on its own. However, even short-term symptoms can reduce mobility and quality of life. The goal of treatment is to reduce any pain and symptoms.

Treatment options include:

• Pain relief - A doctor may prescribe topical pain relief or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help to reduce any pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joint.

• Exercise - Physiotherapists can help prescribe exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve the movement of the joint.

• Stretching - Stretches may help improve the range of motion in the joint.

• General health - Addressing certain lifestyle factors such as weight and diet can help reduce symptoms of joint pain.

• Rest - Getting adequate rest and allowing the joint to recover can also be beneficial.

In some situations, it may not be possible to completely resolve joint pain. Instead, your doctor may need to perform certain treatments or help you manage your pain. These treatment options will depend on the cause of the pain. This may include:

• Surgery - In some cases, surgery may be considered for severe or persistent pain, or pain that is caused by an injury.

• Fluid removal - Your doctor may draw out fluid that has accumulated in the joint in order to provide pain relief.

• Medications - A specialist doctor may be required to prescribe specific medications to help treat the joint pain, such as in the case of RA.

Joint Pain Outcomes

The long-term outcomes for joint pain will depend on the cause of the pain. Joint pain can often be resolved with simple treatments. However, joint pain may need to be managed and monitored over time, such as in the case of arthritis.

Deciding when to see a doctor

It is important to see a doctor if there are any unexplained symptoms, or if the pain is severe or persistent. The earlier the joint pain is diagnosed, the earlier effective treatment can begin to address the underlying cause.

Consult a doctor if:

• The joint is swollen and red, hot, and tender to the touch

• The pain is persistent after more than a few days

• You have a fever but no other signs or symptoms.

In rare cases, joint pain may require emergency medical attention, including:

• serious injury or accident has occurred

• he joint is deformed

• There is a sudden onset of pain or swelling

• he joint is locked or immobile

• There are any unexplained symptoms.

Things to consider about joint pain

Joint pain is a common condition. Joint pain has many causes and contributing factors, including osteoarthritis, injury, and infection. It is important to see your health practitioner if you have any concerns.