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Apr 5, 2023 · By Mayo Clinic Staff. Causes of joint pain include: Adult Still disease. Ankylosing spondylitis. Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis) (The death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow.) Bone cancer. Broken bone.
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Joint pain can be felt in the joints throughout your body. It may be a symptom of many different health conditions. Arthritis is the most common cause of joint pain. There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis. Joint pain may range from mild to severe. Treatments vary from simple at-home care to surgery, depending on your condition.
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OverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen to Call the Doctor
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What causes joint pain?
The most common causes of joint pain include: Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, a common type of arthritis, happens over time when your cartilage — the protective cushion between your bones — wears away. Your joints become painful and stiff. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and usually occurs after age 45. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is a chronic disease that causes swelling and pain in your joints. Often, your joints deform (usually occurring in your fingers and wrists). Gout: Gout is a painful condition where acidic crystals from your body collect in your joint, causing severe pain and swelling. This usually occurs in your big toe. Bursitis: Overuse causes bursitis. It’s usually found in your hip, knee, elbow or shoulder. Tendinitis: Tendinitis is inflammation of your tendons — the flexible bands that connect bone and muscle. It’s typically seen in your elbow, heel or shoulder. Overuse often causes it. In addition, viral infections, rash or fever may make joint movement painful. Injuries, such as broken bones or sprains, can also cause joint pain.
What is the treatment for joint pain?
Although there may not be a cure for joint pain, there are ways to manage it. Sometimes, the pain may go away by taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication or by performing simple daily exercises. Other times, the pain may be signaling problems that can only be corrected with prescription medication or surgery. Joint pain treatment includes: Simple at-home remedies: Your healthcare provider may recommend applying a heating pad or ice onto the affected area for short periods, several times a day. Soaking in a warm bathtub may also offer relief. Exercise: Exercise can help get back strength and function. Walking, swimming or another low-impact aerobic exercise is best. People who participate in strenuous workouts or sports activities may need to scale it back or begin a low-impact workout routine. Gentle stretching exercises will also help. Check with your provider before beginning or continuing any exercise program. Weight loss: Your provider may suggest losing weight, if needed, to lessen the strain on your joints. Medication: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help ease your pain. Both medicines are available over the counter, but stronger doses may need a prescription. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease or liver disease, check with your provider to see if this is a good option for you. Topical treatments: Your provider may recommend topical treatments like ointments or gels that you can rub into your skin over the affected joint area to help ease pain. You may find some of these over the counter, or your provider may write a prescription. Dietary supplements: Dietary supplements like glucosamine may help relieve pain. Ask your provider before taking any over-the-counter supplements. If those medications or treatments don’t ease your pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe: Supportive aids — such as a brace, a cane or an orthotic device in your shoe — to help support your joint and allow ease of movement. Physical or occupational therapy, along with a balanced fitness program, to gradually help ease pain and improve flexibility. Antidepressants to help improve sleep. Steroids, often given by injection into your joint, to provide short-term relief of pain and swelling. Pain relievers to help ease pain. It’s important to remember that medicine, even those available over the counter, affects people differently. What helps one person may not work for another. Be sure to follow your provider’s directions carefully when taking any medicine and tell them if you have any side effects.
What symptoms of joint pain are cause for concern?
Symptoms of joint pain range from mild to disabling. Without cartilage, bones rub directly against each other as your joint moves. Symptoms can include: Swelling. Stiff or enlarged joint. Numbness. Noisy joints, or clicking, grinding or snapping sounds when moving your joint. Painful movement. Difficulty bending or straightening your joint. Loss of motion. A hot and swollen joint. (This needs immediate evaluation.)
When should joint pain be treated by a healthcare provider?
If pain is interfering with your daily life activities, it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider about the problem. It’s important to diagnose the cause of your pain quickly and begin treatment to relieve pain and maintain healthy, functioning joints. You should see a provider if: Pain is accompanied by a fever. You have unexplained weight loss — 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or more. Pain is preventing you from walking normally. During the appointment, your provider will ask many questions to figure out what may be the cause of your pain. You should be ready to answer questions about: Previous injuries to your joint. When your joint pain began. A family history of joint pain. The type of pain you’re experiencing. Your provider will perform an examination of the affected joint to see if there’s pain or limited motion. They’ll also look for signs of injury to your surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. If necessary, your provider may also order X-rays or blood tests. X-rays can show if there’s joint deterioration, fluid in your joint, bone spurs or other issues that may be contributing to your pain. Blood tests will help confirm a diagnosis or rule out other diseases that may be causing your pain. A note from Cleveland Clinic Joint pain can be seen as a red flag — your body’s putting up the signal that something’s not quite right. Despite this warning, it’s not always easy to figure out why you’re in pain and how to fix it. If you’ve been experiencing joint pain, see your healthcare provider. They’ll ask you lots of questions to try to determine what’s going on. It may take some time and a little bit of trial and error, but eventually, you should start to feel some relief and be able to get back to the things you love. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/10/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
Jul 23, 2023 · 5 min read. Joints form the connections between bones. They provide support and help you move. Any damage to the joints from disease or injury can interfere with your movement and cause a lot of...
People also ask
What does joint pain mean?
What causes joint pain?
Is joint pain a symptom of a health condition?
Aug 6, 2019 · Joint pain refers to discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body’s joints. Joint pain is a common complaint. It doesn’t typically require a hospital visit. Sometimes, joint pain is...
- Krista O'connell
Do daily, gentle stretches that move your joints through their full range of motion. Use good posture. A physical therapist can show you how to sit, stand and move correctly. Know your limits. Balance activity and rest, and don't overdo. In addition, lifestyle changes are important for easing pain. Manage weight.
Aug 29, 2023 · Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint pain may be described as stabbing, aching, burning or tingling. It may be constant, or it may only occur when the joint is stressed or held at certain angles. These differences can give a clue about the underlying causes of the pain as well as whether the problem is actually in the joint itself.
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related to: joint painExplore a treatment option that may reduce the pain, swelling, and stiffness of RA. RA flare ups can majorly impact your day-to-day. Explore a treatment option that may help.
