What are the common causes of joint pain?
Your joints are critical to your ability to move, reach, and grasp. If you have joint pain, even the simplest of tasks can feel like a challenge. Your joints are incredibly mobile, and many of them support your weight and absorb the shock created when you walk or run. As a result, they’re vulnerable to several injuries and degenerative conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Ligament sprains
- Tendon tears
- Labral tears
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Repetitive movement injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Infections
Your risk of joint pain increases with age. You might also have an increased risk of joint pain if you’re overweight or if you have a job or hobby that puts a significant amount of stress on your joints.
When should I talk to a doctor about joint pain?
If you have joint pain that follows a traumatic injury, interferes with your mobility, or is accompanied by a visible deformity, make an appointment at Healthy Life Family Medicine right away. They offer same-day appointments for acute health issues.
If you wake up with a sore knee or pain in another joint, you should rest the joint for a few days and manage your discomfort with heat, ice, and over-the-counter painkillers. If your pain doesn’t get better in a few days or if it increases, make an appointment with the team at Healthy Life Family Medicine.
How is joint pain treated?
The team at Healthy Life Family Medicine begins with a thorough exam, which might include X-rays and an MRI to evaluate your joint pain. Then they create a personalized treatment plan.
Depending on your specific needs, your joint pain treatment program might include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Corticosteroids
- Joint injections
- Joint aspiration
- Joint splinting
- Topical pain relievers
Your doctor might also recommend physical therapy. Often adding some low-impact exercise to your day and losing weight can help by strengthening the surrounding muscles and reducing the physical stress on the joint. For example, yoga can build strength in your muscles and increase your flexibility.
You don’t need to put up with joint pain. Call Healthy Life Family Medicine or make an appointment online today.
