Aches or Joint Pain Stiffness

General or Other | Rheumatology | Aches or Joint Pain Stiffness (Symptom)


Description

Joint pain is characterized by a discomfort or tenderness in a joint. Joints are the areas where two or more bones meet, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle, which allows bones to move. They are made up of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the joint called bursas, and the synovial. Any of the structures in a joint can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders or conditions. Joint pain can appear even without movement and can be serious enough to limit movement.

Joint pain is described as a discomfort, inflammation, increased warmth or burning, soreness, stiffness, or pain. It can last briefly or it may be chronic, when last more than three months.

Causes

Joint pain has many causes. Sudden joint pain can be due to a mild muscle or ligament sprain, bursitis, or a dislocation. Chronic joint pain can be a symptom of serious and even life-threatening conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, leukemia, or bone cancer.

Joint pain often occurs in conjunction with other signs and symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Other symptoms can include joint swelling, redness, and fever. Joint pain may also occur with other symptoms related to the joint, including: inability to put weight on the affected joint, reduced mobility, stiffness, swelling or visible deformity of the affected joint.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Joint pain caused by injury and overuse is the simplest kind of joint pain to treat because it is generally only a temporary condition that will not progressively worsen. For this type of pain, the most commonly recommended joint pain treatment is anti-inflammatory medicines. For arthritic joint pain treatment, especially when dealing with cartilage deterioration, combinations of the supplements glucosamin and chondroitin help to encourage growth of new cartilage and lessen pain.

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