Joint Pain and Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 15 million people suffer from joint pain, and patients 45 years and older suffer more. It is common among the elderly because of the “wear and tear” of the bone cells, a condition known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. However, there is a wide range of other conditions that lead to joint pain. This article will discuss the link between arthritis and other types of joint pain and provide a starting point for a treatment plan.  

What is the Link Between Joint Pain and Arthritis?

You experience joint pain when there is inflammation in the joints caused by trauma, overuse, or degeneration resulting in the wear and tear of tissues. A joint is where two bones meet. It is cushioned by a flexible structure called cartilage and supported by ligaments, muscles, and tendons so they can move and support your body. Joint pain can occur in any joint in your body, including your knees, shoulders, hips, and spine.

Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints and causes symptoms such as joint pain, and stiffness, which typically worsens with age. In the US, arthritis affects 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 adults in rural areas.  Arthritis is a long-term condition that occurs when the cartilage cushions and protects your joints breaks down. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and joint damage. Some of the most common types of arthritis that cause joint pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

How Do I Know if My Joint Pain is Arthritis?

Joint pain can be caused by various things. However, some of the warning signs and symptoms that accompany arthritis include:

• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness 
• Pain 

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you can request an appointment with a pain expert and get a physical assessment of the joint to determine the cause. All joint pains are not arthritis, so you must be certain your joint pain is arthritis by getting it diagnosed by a doctor before medicating. If you’re experiencing joint pain, it’s important to identify the cause and determine the best treatment option for your circumstance. The sooner joint pain is addressed, the easier it will be to treat. If joint pain is left untreated, it can lead to complications and reduced quality of life due to the limitations that it may place on your activities. 

Main Symptoms of Arthritis Joint Pain

There are different types of arthritis, but they present with similar symptoms, with slight differences based on the affected joint and the underlying cause. Some of the main symptoms of joint pain caused by arthritis are described below:

• Swelling and tenderness of the affected joint. The skin over the affected joint may become swollen and painful to touch. 
• Joint stiffness. This is a hallmark symptom of arthritis, particularly in the morning, which typically lasts longer than an hour. 
• Chronic pain with decreased mobility of the affected joint.
• Redness around the skin of the affected part that may be warm to touch. 

Main Causes of Arthritis Joint Pain

There are natural causes of arthritis due to usage and the normal “wear and tear” that goes with aging. There are other causal factors of arthritis as listed below: 

• An abnormal immune response that attacks its own tissues
• Weight gain that puts strain on the joints
• Previous damage to the joints from accidents or injury during physical activities

When Should I Seek Help for Arthritis Joint Pain?

If your joint pain persists and is causing you to experience fatigue or loss of appetite, you should consult a pain expert. If the joint pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness, you should get a physical exam and seek treatment. 

If you suffer from a chronic illness like diabetes and experience joint pain and have been diagnosed with a chronic condition such as diabetes, it’s important to seek treatment and follow your doctor’s recommendations to help prevent joint pain from worsening. 

An urgent doctor’s visit is warranted if the joint pain is accompanied by:

• Joint deformity
• Inability to use the joint
• Intense pain
• Sudden swelling

How Clearway Pain Solutions Can Help Relieve Arthritis Joint Pain

Patients suffering from chronic pain, like the pain associated with arthritis, can request an appointment with physical therapists and pain experts at Clearway Pain Solutions. Our team specializes in pain alleviation and restoring mobility and function through treatment options like joint injections. We offer customized, integrated solutions for our patients to manage their joint pain. Some of the interventions include:

• Interventional pain management
• Medication management
• Regenerative medicine
• Chiropractic
• Massage
• Physical therapy

Why Choose Clearway Pain Solutions for Joint Pain Treatment?

Clearway Pain Solutions is a household name for pain management. Our team of pain consultants focuses on providing not just pain relief solutions but on holistic medical practice that renews the quality of life for our patients. We diagnose and treat the cause of joint pain with an integrated system of advanced pain solution treatments. 

Immediately we identify the cause of the arthritis joint pain. We take a step-by-step approach focusing on restoring the joint’s mobility first, then advancing towards decreasing any tightness and building muscle strength. If you’re experiencing joint pain, book an appointment with one of our pain consultants today. 

Joint pain is not uncommon and often resolves itself within a few days. However, if you are experiencing joint pain for more than a few days, it is important to rule out any underlying conditions that may be causing it. If you are experiencing joint pain, it is important to identify the cause and determine the best treatment options for your circumstance. The sooner joint pain is addressed, the easier it will be to treat. If joint pain is left untreated, it can lead to a reduced quality of life due to the limitations that it may place on your activities.