Joint pain is discomfort, ache, or soreness arising in and around any joint in your body. It can affect the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding your joints. Hips, hands, knees, shoulders, and feet are commonly affected. The pain can come and disappear without treatment, and sometimes it can persist for several days. Joint pain varies from mild to severe, altering your normal functioning. If your pain persists for more than a week, you should visit your physician, Dr. William L Yancey, for evaluation and treatment. There are many causes of joint pain, and below are some.
Bursitis
Bursitis happens when a bursa becomes irritated and swells due to repetitive motion in the neighboring joints. Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion your bones, tendons, and muscles around your joints. Bursitis commonly happens in your knees, shoulder, elbows, hips, and heels. Treatment involves resting your affected joint and protecting it from more injuries.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects millions of people worldwide. It happens when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Osteoarthritis can damage any joint but hands, knees, hips, and spine are the most affected. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and medications help reduce pain and improve joint function.
Gout
Gout is a common form of arthritis and can affect anyone. It occurs when your body has excess uric acid, and sharp crystals may form in joints, especially your big toe. Severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness are the common symptoms of gout. The condition mainly develops in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems, and obesity.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons. Tendons are the flexible bands that connect your bones and muscles. Tendinitis can develop in any tendon, but shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels are the most affected. Rest, physical therapy, and medications help reduce tendonitis pain. If your tendinitis causes rapture of your tendon, you may need surgery.
Sprains
A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligaments. Ligaments are the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones in the joints. Sprains mainly occur in the ankles. Pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulties in moving the affected joint are the common symptoms of sprains. You can treat a mild sprain at home with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Severe sprains may require surgery, especially if your ligaments are torn.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system attacks your tissues and organs. Lupus inflammation affects different body parts like joints, skin, kidneys, heart, and lungs. Infections, particular drugs, and sunlight can trigger lupus. It can be challenging to diagnose lupus because its symptoms mimic other illnesses. There is no known cure for lupus, but your doctor can help you control and manage symptoms.
Joint pain can be excruciating, affecting your movements and overall quality of life. Your doctor can use medications, physical therapy, or surgery to treat your joint pain, depending on the cause and the symptoms you are experiencing. Schedule an appointment at Yancey Pain & Spine for joint pain treatment to relieve your discomfort.
