People of all ages experience joint pain, one of the most common health complaints. It can interfere with daily activities, affect your quality of life, and even your mood. Knowing why you may be experiencing joint pain is the first step to finding relief and taking care of your joints. This blog will cover the most common causes of joint pain. Moreover, we will also discuss which is the best orthopaedic clinic in Gachibowli. But first let's understand what joint pain is.
What is Joint Pain?
Joint pain is a feeling of discomfort, aches, or soreness in any joint of the body. The joints are where two bones meet, and they are found in areas of the body such as the knees, elbows, hips, wrists, fingers, shoulders, and ankles. When a problem happens to the joint, joint pain occurs.
The common causes of joint pain include:
1. Arthritis
By far, the most common cause of joint pain is arthritis. The two major types are:
1. Osteoarthritis: Called “wear-and-tear” arthritis, this widening of joints can happen as we get older and the cushiony cartilage between the bones wears out. Osteoarthritis typically affects the knees, hips, and hands and results in discomfort and stiffness, as well as swelling.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks joint lining. Patients will experience joint discomfort, swelling, and redness. Permanent damage to the joints can occur if rheumatoid arthritis is not properly managed. There are other types of arthritis, such as Gout (a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals), psoriatic arthritis (associated with psoriasis), and juvenile arthritis, which occurs in kids.
2. Injury
Fractures, sprains, strains, or ligament tears are another common cause of joint pain. Whether it is from an accident or fall, trauma can affect our joint structure, i.e., bones or ligaments. At times, injuries can cause swelling and bruising.
3. Bursitis
Bursae are small sacs filled with fluid that are located near joints to help cushion the bones and tendons. Bursitis occurs when the sacs become inflamed from repetitive motion or injury. This usually causes pain in your shoulders, elbows, hips, or knees that is worse after hard physical activity or repetitive motion.
4. Tendon Problems
Tendinitis refers to the inflammation of tendons (the cords that connect muscle to bone) around a joint. Tendinitis is most frequently seen in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and heels and is usually the result of overuse or a sudden increase in activity. Tendon injuries can be associated with sharp or achy pain around the joint. If you are searching for the best orthopaedic clinic in Hyderabad, you can visit Jade Clinic.
5. Infections
Occasionally, joint pain might be the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Infections such as mumps, hepatitis, flu, or certain bacteria could cause inflammation in one or several joints (septic arthritis). If the joint pain is associated with fever or redness, timely evaluation by a physician is important.
6. Autoimmune and Systemic Conditions
Some diseases affect numerous joints at once or attack our body's tissues. An example of an autoimmune disease is lupus, which can cause joint pain or swelling. Similarly, scleroderma or connective tissue disorders can also affect our joints as well as other organs in the body.
7. Overuse and Strain
Simple overuse is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Prolonged repetitive movements, poor postures, or heavy physical work can strain joints, leading to inflammation and pain. Prolonged standing or doing heavy lifting can also irritate joints, particularly in the lower body.
8. Other Medical Conditions
Joint pain can be a sign of other health conditions. These include bone cancer, thyroid problems, or deficiency of Vitamin D.
When to be concerned about joint pain?
While joint pain can be a common problem, it should not be ignored if any of the following occurs:
1. Pain persists for weeks or worsens over time.
2. Joints are swollen, or red .
3. Sudden, severe pain (and/or inability to move the affected joint).
4. Pain is associated with fever, weight loss, or fatigue.
These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying problem, and a consultation with an orthopaedic doctor is advisable.
Am I able to control joint pain?
To manage joint pain, you need to rest, move the joints gently, apply ice, and occasionally take medication, such as paracetamol or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious food, and stretching may benefit the joints in the long run.
Book a consultation with the expert orthopaedic doctors at Jade Clinics
If you are looking for a skilled orthopaedic doctor in Hyderabad to manage joint pain or any other concern, you can consult the expert doctors at Jade Clinics. The expert doctors are trained to diagnose and treat many orthopedic concerns affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. For more details, visit the clinic now.
