Overview
Joint pain affects millions of people and can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. It can affect any joint including knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, and fingers.
Common Causes
Arthritis Types
- Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear damage (most common)
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune inflammation
- Gout: Uric acid crystals (often big toe)
- Psoriatic arthritis: Associated with psoriasis
Other Causes
- Bursitis (inflamed fluid sacs)
- Tendinitis (inflamed tendons)
- Sprains and strains
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Injuries
- Overuse
- Age-related wear
When to See a Doctor
- Joint is swollen, red, or warm
- Severe pain that limits movement
- Pain lasting more than 3 days
- Fever with joint pain
- Multiple joints affected
- Joint deformity
Diagnostic Tests
Blood Tests
- Rheumatoid factor (RF): RA screening
- Anti-CCP antibodies: Specific for RA
- Uric acid: Gout diagnosis
- ESR and CRP: Inflammation levels
- ANA: Autoimmune diseases
- Lyme disease test: If tick exposure
- TSH: Hypothyroidism
Imaging
- X-ray: Bone damage, arthritis
- MRI: Soft tissue, cartilage
- CT scan: Detailed bone images
- Ultrasound: Real-time joint imaging
Joint Fluid Analysis
- Arthrocentesis: Needle aspiration of joint fluid
- Tests for infection, crystals, blood
Treatment Options
Medications
- NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, Naproxen - pain and inflammation
- Acetaminophen: Tylenol - pain only
- Corticosteroids: Prednisone - severe inflammation
- Topical NSAIDs: Diclofenac gel
- DMARDs: Methotrexate for RA
- Biologics: Humira, Enbrel for RA
- Colchicine: For gout flares
- Allopurinol: Prevents gout long-term
Non-Drug Treatments
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Exercise (swimming, walking)
- Weight loss
- Heat and cold therapy
- Braces or splints
- Acupuncture
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
Surgical Options
- Arthroscopy
- Joint fusion
- Joint replacement (knee, hip)