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Conditions > Joint Pain

Joint Pain

Joint pain, also known as arthralgia, is a common issue affecting individuals of all ages.

It can stem from various causes, including injuries, arthritis, or other underlying conditions.

The pain can range from mild discomfort to debilitating agony, impacting your quality of life and daily activities.

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Identifying And Managing Joint Pain

Joint pain often results from trauma or injury to the surrounding structures, such as ligaments, bursae, tendons, and muscles. Pain may be localised to a single joint, like the knee or elbow, or affect multiple joints, either on one side of the body or bilaterally, such as in both ankles or wrists.

While the knees are frequently the source of joint pain, discomfort in this area is not always due to a joint issue; it can also arise from damage to the knee cartilage or kneecap. If joint pain affects several joints or occurs on both sides of the body, it could indicate a systemic condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

To diagnose the cause, a thorough examination and imaging may be necessary. Depending on the findings, next steps could include a referral to a specialist, physiotherapy, or guidance on managing pain effectively.

Symptoms Of Joint Pain

General joint pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and its signs often overlap with those of arthritis.

Tenderness: The joint might feel tender or sore to the touch.
Stiffness: Especially noticeable after resting or in the morning.
Swelling: Some degree of swelling or puffiness around the joint.
Limited Mobility: Difficulty moving the joint fully or discomfort during movement.
Muscle Weakness: Associated muscle weakness around the joint due to pain or disuse.
Achy Or Sharp Pain: Pain that can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation.
Pain Fluctuation: Pain that varies in intensity and can change with activity levels or time of day.
Creaking Or Grinding: A sensation or sound of creaking or grinding in the joint during movement.
Warmth: The area around the joint may feel warm, though this is less common than in inflammatory conditions.

Common Signs Of Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term for a range of inflammatory joint diseases. Common signs of arthritis include:

Swelling: The affected joints may become swollen and tender to the touch.
Fatigue: General feelings of tiredness or fatigue, which can accompany joint pain.
Redness And Warmth: The skin around the joint may appear red and feel warm.
Joint Pain: Persistent pain in one or more joints, often worsening with movement.
Reduced Range Of Motion: Difficulty moving the joint through its full range of motion.
Stiffness: Stiffness, particularly in the morning or after sitting for long periods, is a common symptom.
Difficulty With Daily Activities: Trouble performing everyday tasks like gripping objects, climbing stairs, or walking.
Joint Deformity: Over time, arthritis can cause changes in the shape of the affected joints, particularly in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

People Most Affected By Joint Pain

Joint pain can affect many people, but certain groups are more commonly impacted. Older adults are at higher risk due to natural joint wear and tear, often leading to conditions like osteoarthritis. Those with various forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, frequently experience joint pain.

Athletes and individuals involved in high-impact sports or repetitive activities are also more prone to joint injuries. People with a history of joint trauma or obesity, which adds stress to joints, are similarly affected.

Additionally, a genetic predisposition to joint disorders can increase susceptibility. While these groups are more at risk, joint pain can impact anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle.

Preventing Joint Pain

To help protect your joints, stay active by engaging in regular, low-impact exercises such as swimming or cycling. These activities can strengthen the muscles around your joints and improve flexibility.

Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial, as excess weight places additional stress on your joints, particularly those in the lower body. A balanced diet combined with regular exercise can assist you in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Additionally, using proper technique during physical activities or when lifting objects can help prevent joint strain or injury. Lastly, staying hydrated is important, as drinking plenty of water helps keep the cartilage in your joints hydrated and functioning properly.

Single Joint Pain Causes

If the pain is affecting just one joint and is not due to injury (the knees are the most common joints to suffer injury), it could be caused by a number of conditions, including:

Reactive arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis.
Damaged kneecap.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (which can affect one or many joints).
Internal bleeding (due to injury, requires medical treatment)
Inflammation (due to a recent injury, which can usually be managed with rest).
Septic arthritis, haemophilia, and cancer (all rare causes of pain in the joint).
Gout (when the skin around the joint is hot and red, the pain pattern comes in attacks and most commonly starts in the big toe).

Causes Of Pain In Multiple Joints

Pain occurring in many joints around the body is most commonly due to:

Osteoarthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis.
Viral infection (viral hepatitis, rubella).
Rheumatoid arthritis (hands, feet, and wrists are most commonly affected).
Connective tissue disease (lupus, scleroderma, which also affects other organs of the body).

Statistics

people in the UK have Osteoarthritis

0 Mill

people have knee Osteoarthritis

0 Mill

people have hip Osteoarthritis

0 Mill

people live with an MSK condition

0 Mill

What to do next

Getting to the bottom of the cause of your pain in the joint is the first step towards finding the right treatment and relief. Make an appointment to see one of our doctors, who can help you decide on the best course of action.

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Why is joint pain more common during menopause?

Increased joint pain during menopause is caused by hormonal imbalance and shifting levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the body. Oestrogen is thought to play a particularly important role in joint health.

What are some of the more unusual causes of joint pain?

The less common causes of unilateral joint pain (affecting both sides of the body) include rarer types of arthritis like ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile or reactive arthritis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, cancer, steroid therapy, sarcoidosis, Behçet’s syndrome, hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy, or cancer.

What are the risk factors for joint pain?

The main factor at play in joint pain is increasing age, but weight, diet, hormone levels, and genetics are all potential risk factors. Nutrition is also important, as joint pain can be caused by vitamin D deficiency and low oestrogen levels.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, but is a very a broad category and can take over a hundred different forms. Arthritic diseases usually affect the joints (knees, elbows, wrists, fingers – anywhere in the body that two bones meet). Arthritis is often a long-term condition.

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