Joint pain - Renew Hormone Clinic

What is Joint Pain?

Joint pain refers to discomfort, aches, soreness or stiffness in any of the body's joints. This common problem can result from injury, overuse, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, infection, or other causes. Some key points about joint pain:

• It can range from mild, occasional soreness to severe chronic pain
• The most commonly affected joints are those in the knees, hips, back, hands, and shoulders
• Inflammation is often a contributing factor - this is the body's reaction to injury or infection
• Osteoarthritis, the wearing down of cartilage, is the most common type of arthritis leading to joint pain

Common Causes

Injuries such as sprains/strains, fractures, and dislocations, can injure tissues around joints. Repetitive movements and overuse also provoke pain over time. Those with jobs or hobbies requiring repetitive hand, knee, or back motions are especially susceptible.

Arthritis causes breakdown of cartilage protecting joint bones, resulting in painful bone-on-bone friction. Osteoarthritis from general wear and tear is most prevalent. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition inflaming the joint linings.

Joint pain can also arise from:

• Gout - uric acid crystal buildup
• Infections e.g. septic arthritis
• Fibromyalgia - amplified pain response

Managing Joint Pain

See your doctor to diagnose the underlying cause. Some treatment approaches include:

• Resting the joint
• Icing to reduce inflammation
• Pain medications like NSAIDs or acetaminophen
• Assistive devices - crutches, braces, splints
• If arthritis, possible steroid injections or surgery

When to See Your Doctor

See a physician promptly if you experience:

• Sudden, severe joint pain
• Joint pain without a known injury
• Joint pain combined with fever, rash or swelling
• Persistent discomfort lasting >2 weeks

While occasional mild pains go away on their own, worsening or persistent joint problems should get examined. Early treatment can often prevent small issues from becoming serious long-term damage. Don't delay seeking help.