What is joint pain?
Joint pain refers to pain, discomfort and soreness in the joints. Joints are the parts of your body where bones meet. They allow your bones to move. Joints include the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Joint pain can be the result of damage that occurs through normal wear-and-tear, or it can be a sign of an infection or an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
Symptoms of joint pain include:
- Swelling, redness and tenderness around the joint
- Pain persisting for three days or longer
- Fever symptoms without the flu
You should seek emergency care if the following symptoms are present:
- Joint deformity
- Swelling that occurs suddenly without reason
- If you have had an injury or fall
- You cannot move your joint
- You have extreme pain
How is joint pain diagnosed?
Your doctor performs a physical exam. A joint X-ray may be carried out to look at the joint damage. A blood test may be performed to detect if there is an autoimmune disorder.
What causes joint pain?
Joint pain is usually caused by diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes it is caused by an illness or an injury. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, and is mostly found among adults over the age of 40. Osteoarthritis affects the wrists, hands, hips and knees. The disease results from the breakdown of cartilage which acts a shock absorber and cushions joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects more women than men and causes pain, inflammation and a build-up of fluid in the joints because the body’s immune system is attacking itself.
Other causes of joint pain include:
- Lupus
- Gout
- Bursitis
- Infectious diseases such as mumps, influenza and hepatitis
- Chondromalacia of the kneecap
- Tendonitis
- Overusing joints
- Cancer
- Rickets
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Sarcoidosis
How can joint pain be treated?
Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Fluid may need to be removed from joints to test for infection or other causes of joint pain. In some instances, surgery to replace the joint may be necessary.
There is no treatment currently available to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but the pain caused by these conditions can be managed with:
- Topical pain relievers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation
- Moderate exercise
- Stretching to keep joints mobile and flexible
- Maintaining a healthy weight, as this puts less pressure on your joints
- Getting adequate rest
- Taking a warm bath or having a massage can also help
Joint pain
Dr Elena Nikiphorou - Rheumatology
Created on: 11-13-2012
Updated on: 11-14-2024
Edited by: Carlota Pano
What is joint pain?
Joint pain refers to pain, discomfort and soreness in the joints. Joints are the parts of your body where bones meet. They allow your bones to move. Joints include the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Joint pain can be the result of damage that occurs through normal wear-and-tear, or it can be a sign of an infection or an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
Symptoms of joint pain include:
- Swelling, redness and tenderness around the joint
- Pain persisting for three days or longer
- Fever symptoms without the flu
You should seek emergency care if the following symptoms are present:
- Joint deformity
- Swelling that occurs suddenly without reason
- If you have had an injury or fall
- You cannot move your joint
- You have extreme pain
How is joint pain diagnosed?
Your doctor performs a physical exam. A joint X-ray may be carried out to look at the joint damage. A blood test may be performed to detect if there is an autoimmune disorder.
What causes joint pain?
Joint pain is usually caused by diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes it is caused by an illness or an injury. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, and is mostly found among adults over the age of 40. Osteoarthritis affects the wrists, hands, hips and knees. The disease results from the breakdown of cartilage which acts a shock absorber and cushions joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects more women than men and causes pain, inflammation and a build-up of fluid in the joints because the body’s immune system is attacking itself.
Other causes of joint pain include:
- Lupus
- Gout
- Bursitis
- Infectious diseases such as mumps, influenza and hepatitis
- Chondromalacia of the kneecap
- Tendonitis
- Overusing joints
- Cancer
- Rickets
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Sarcoidosis
How can joint pain be treated?
Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Fluid may need to be removed from joints to test for infection or other causes of joint pain. In some instances, surgery to replace the joint may be necessary.
There is no treatment currently available to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but the pain caused by these conditions can be managed with:
- Topical pain relievers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation
- Moderate exercise
- Stretching to keep joints mobile and flexible
- Maintaining a healthy weight, as this puts less pressure on your joints
- Getting adequate rest
- Taking a warm bath or having a massage can also help
Fluoroscopic guided injections: how technology delivers safer pain relief treatment
By Dr Yasser Mehrez
2025-01-19
Pain medicine is one of the fastest-growing medical specialties. The advancement in technology has helped in the development of new treatments to deliver effective pain relief interventions, such as fluoroscopic guided injections. Dr Yasser Mehrez, a consultant in pain medicine, give us a rundown of how they are performed and the type of treatments you can receive. See more
Lipogems and osteoarthritis: a patient guide
By Dr Ralph Rogers
2025-01-19
One of the latest advances in regenerative medicine, Lipogems injections, is now available at an increasing number of clinics across the UK, promising a new way to treat osteoarthritis without surgery. In this article, leading sports medicine specialist Dr Ralph Rogers has written a patient guide to Lipogems, covering how it works, who it’s suitable for, and how long the results last. See more
Types of injections for joint pain
By Mr Rohit Jain
2025-01-19
When it comes to treating inflammatory joint conditions there are many ways of treating them. If you suffer from this condition, it's essential that you chat with an expert to ensure you treat the condition appropriately. We spoke with leading orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon, Mr Rohit Jain, to find out information on joint injections, the different types and how long their effects can last for. See more
Knee osteotomy: what to expect from your knee realignment surgery
By Mr Raghbir Khakha
2025-01-19
A knee osteotomy can help take pressure off an arthritic area of your knee and relieve joint pain, instead of having to undergo a total knee replacement. But what does the procedure involve and how does a surgeon relieve the pressure? Mr Raghbir Khakha, a top consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon based in London explains. See more
Experts in Joint pain
-
Dr Ian Beasley
Sports medicineExpert in:
- Sports injuries
- Sports physical examination
- Sports medicine
- Sports traumatology
- Muscle injuries
- Joint pain
-
Dr Anthony Ordman
Pain medicineExpert in:
- Neuropathic pain
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Joint pain
- Cancer Pain
- Chronic pain
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD)
-
Dr Kiran Sachane
Pain medicineExpert in:
- Back pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Neck pain
- Migraine
- Sciatica
- Joint pain
-
Dr Sumit Gulati
Pain medicineExpert in:
- Radiofrequency denervation
- Sciatica
- Joint pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Pelvic pain
- Back pain
-
Dr Martynas Juozaitis
Pain medicineExpert in:
- Pain treatment
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Stem cells
- Platelet-rich plasma
- Knee
- Joint pain
- See all
The London Independent Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
The London Independent Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
1 Beaumont Square, Stepney Green
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
The VIBE Clinic
The VIBE Clinic
87-89 Kings road, Reading, RG1 3DD
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
OS Clinic
OS Clinic
OS Clinic, 45 Queen Anne St, London W1G 9JF
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
-
The London Independent Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
1 Beaumont Square, Stepney Green, East LondonExpert in:
- Cataracts
- Bariatric Surgery
- Maxillofacial Surgery
- Neurological spinal surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Orthopaedic spinal surgery
-
The VIBE Clinic
87-89 Kings road, Reading, RG1 3DD, ReadingExpert in:
- Anti-aging
- Dermatology
- Cosmetic Dermatology
- Sports Medicine
- Platelet-rich plasma
- Skin rejuvenation
-
OS Clinic
OS Clinic, 45 Queen Anne St, London W1G 9JF, W1G Marylebone LondonExpert in:
- Hip
- Minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery)
- Joint preservation surgery
- Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Orthopaedic spinal surgery
- See all
- Most viewed diseases, medical tests, and treatments
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Immunotherapy
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cluster headaches
- Tension headache
- Chronic headache
- Peripheral nerve block
- Child nutrition
- Migraine
- Paediatric rheumatology