Understanding Joint Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Many millions of people in the UK suffer from joint pain, which can limit mobility and quality of life. Whether it is a dull throb in the knees following a long walk or a sharp pain in the shoulders when lifting objects, joint pain can be the result of many causes, from age-related wear and tear to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
By diagnosing and treating early, you can avoid long-term damage and continue to lead an active lifestyle. Continuing to suffer from long-term joint aches could result in the development of more severe symptoms – poor mobility and ultimately permanent joint damage.
In this blog, we’ll cover common causes of knee pain, signs to look out for, when to visit an emergency room, and the best treatment available.
Common Causes of Joint Pain
There are several reasons that could be causing joint pain, such as degeneration, inflammation, injury, or infection. Identification of etiology is crucial for therapy.
1. Degenerative Causes
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and is caused when cartilage deteriorates, causing the bones to rub against each other. It commonly attacks knees, hips, and hands, particularly in older people.
- Wear and tear: Joints can degenerate as a result of previous injuries, obesity, or repetitive motions.
2. Inflammatory Causes
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the body’s joints, leading to swelling, pain, and, eventually, deformity.
- Psoriatic Arthritis. Associated with psoriasis, targets not only the skin but the joints as well.
3. Crystal-Induced Causes
- Gout: A painful condition in which crystals of uric acid appear in the joint, typically the big toe.
- Pseudogout: Like gout, but calcium crystals cause it; usually in the knees or wrists.
4. Soft Tissue Inflammation
- Bursitis: A condition that involves inflammation of the bursae (small sacs of fluid cushioning the joints), typically in the shoulders, elbows or hips.
- Tendinitis: Repeating the same motion on a regular basis leads to tendon inflammation, usually in the wrists (tennis elbow) or in the Achilles tendon.
5. Other Medical Conditions
- Lupus & Fibromyalgia: Systemic disorders that produce pain all over the body and extreme fatigue.
- Infections (Septic Arthritis): There is an urgent need to treat bacterial or viral joint infections.
6. Injuries
- Sprains, breaks, or dislocations: Sudden impacts on joints can cause wear and tear on joints, ligaments, or cartilage.
Symptoms of Joint Pain
Early recognition of the symptoms of joint pain facilitates prompt treatment. Common signs include:
- Stiffness: Limited motion in the joint, particularly in the morning.
- Inflammation, Swelling & Redness: This symptom is quite common in inflammatory processes, like in RA or gout.
- The joint may be warm to the touch.
- Mobility restriction: Decreased flexibility because of pain or stiffness.
Chronic vs. Acute Pain:
- Chronic: Pain that lingers (such as osteoarthritis).
- Acute: Sudden, extremely painful (e.g., from an injury of a gout attack).
When to Seek Emergency Help
Other joint symptoms may need urgent medical care:
- Sudden or severe swelling or deformity.
- Inability to put weight on or move the joint.
- Intense pain after an injury.
- Fever and joint aches (might be infection).
Emergency Action:
- If a joint looks dislocated or you think it’s broken, call 999 or go to A&E.
- For more serious infections (septic arthritis), early treatment is essential to avoid permanent damage.
Diagnosing Joint Pain
- Physical Exam: Examining swelling, tenderness, and range of motion.
- Imaging Tests:
- X-rays/MRI: Reveal bone damage or the loss of cartilage.
- Ultrasound: Assesses soft tissue inflammation.
- Blood Tests: Look for signs of RA, gout, or an infection.
- Joint Aspiration: Removal of fluid for diagnosis of gout or septic arthritis.
Treatment Options for Joint Pain
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Medications: NSAIDs (ibuprofen), corticosteroids, or disease-modifying drugs (to treat RA).
- Physical Therapy: Helps strengthen muscles around joints, which can increase range of motion.
- Ice/Heat Pack: Decreases inflammation and eases pain.
- Lifestyle modification: Weight reduction, anti-inflammatory diet (high in omega-3s).
Medical Interventions
- Intra-Articular (Joint) Injections: These could include corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid to lubricate it.
Surgical Treatments
- The repair of defective cartilage by arthroscopy.
- Arthroplasty: In the case of osteoarthritis that is more advanced (hip and knee replacements).
Living with Joint Pain
Taking Care of Chronic Joint Pain requires:
- Non-impact activities (swimming, yoga).
- Assistive devices (orthoses, orthotic shoes).
- Pain relief measures (hot packs, TENS machine).
- Mental health counselling: Chronic pain may influence mood; counselling or support groups may assist with mood.
Conclusion
Joint pain shouldn’t be ignored—early intervention prevents long-term damage. If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, consult a specialist at Chase Lodge Hospital for personalised care.
Call to Action:
Need help with joint pain? Book a consultation today.
For more information, visit: NHS Joint Pain Resource.
