The Total Joint Center in Connecticut

Joint pain is observed across the population in multiple parts of the body, including in the hands, feet, hips, knees, or spine. Age, weight, previous injuries, overuse and other medical conditions can all contribute to joint pain. A number of different conditions can cause joint pain, including:

• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Broken Bone
• Lyme Disease
• Gout
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Leukemia
• Rickets
• Tendinitis
• Sprain
• Bone Disease
• Depression, anxiety or stress
• Viral infection

Joint pain is a common sensation, but you should see an orthopedic doctor if the pain persists along with swelling, redness, tenderness, or warmth around the joint. You should consider seeing a physician if your joint pain does not go away after a couple of weeks, or if the application of at-home treatments does not provide relief.

The most common at-home treatment methods include applying ice, applying heat, resting the joint, and taking supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin. Joint pain is also common in people who are overweight, so losing excess weight and building muscle strength may help to relieve some pain.

Painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are popular medicines for people with joint pain. Your doctor may also prescribe a stronger dose of other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and swelling. Be sure to follow your physician’s advice before engaging in any other-the-counter medication protocols.

There are several different things you can do to help relieve, reduce, or prevent joint pain. Make sure to keep your body moving by doing gentle stretches and movements throughout the day. You should also maintain good posture and avoid overuse of your joints. If you experience joint pain, you can treat it by resting, applying heat, ice, or taking pain medication.

Chronic joint disease is not reversible. However, there are many ways to treat joint disease that prevent or slow down further degeneration of the joint. Treatments include taking medications, going to physical therapy, and receiving joint injections.

Aside from persistent pain, some common symptoms of joint problems include:

• Swelling
• Numbness 
• Clicking or grinding noises when you move your joint
• Painful movement
• Loss of mobility
• Heat or redness around the joint
• Stiffness
• Enlarged joint

Individuals with a degraded joint that causes persistent pain are candidates for joint replacement surgery. If you have a family history of osteoarthritis, or you have rheumatoid arthritis, and you begin to experience joint pain and stiffness, a joint replacement surgery may bring you relief and a return to normal activity. Generally, eligible candidates include those with moderate to severe arthritis in the joint—including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis—that induces chronic pain and/or interferes with life’s daily activities.

Joint replacement surgery isn’t for everyone, and many people have been able to enjoy their lives with low levels of pain without getting a joint replacement. Some procedures, like arthroscopic surgery, are less invasive and can repair some level of joint damage. You can also limit or prevent joint pain, or manage onsetting pain by making lifestyle changes that alleviate pressure on your joints. These include staying active, improving strength and mobility, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding overuse, using braces when necessary, taking certain medications and supplements, and resting the joint. Other procedures that may be considered are cartilage regeneration or joint injections.