What is Joint Pain?
Bilateral Vs. Unilateral Joint Pain:
Your pain could be unilateral or bilateral for several reasons over time. It can happen when you try to compensate for a painful joint. If your left foot hurts, you’ll probably move differently, putting more pressure on your right foot when walking or standing. This added pressure may eventually cause pain in both of your feet. Sometimes the transition from unilateral to bilateral pain is caused by the advancement of the disease.
What Causes Joint Pain?
The causes of joint pain are as varied and complex as the joints themselves. Here are some of the most common causes:
Arthritis:
The most well-known cause of joint pain is arthritis. There are numerous types of arthritis. They all have one thing in common: they cause your joints to swell, producing chronic pain and a variety of unpleasant symptoms.
Injury:
Joint injuries are caused by wear and tear instead of a single event. You are more likely to injure your joints if you engage in a lot of physical activity, especially if it includes repetitive movements.
Bursitis:
The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between your joints. They cause joint pain when they become irritated. Bursitis is due to a series of minor injuries caused by repetitive motions.
Tendonitis:
Tendons connect your bones and muscles. Tendonitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed (also spelled tendinitis). Overuse, injury, or another illness, such as arthritis, can all lead to tendonitis.
Fibromyalgia:
Women are more likely than men to be affected by this potentially fatal disease. Chronic pain throughout the body, particularly in the joints, is one of its defining features. Chronic fatigue and memory issues are two other symptoms.
Lupus:
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder affecting various people in different ways. Lupus causes chronic joint pain and stiffness in many people, particularly in the hands and knees.
Previous Surgeries:
Surgery can be a good way to treat diseases that are too severe for other treatments. However, it is also quite damaging to your body. Symptoms such as pain may persist for some time following the operation. And if you’ve had a joint operation, such as a knee replacement, you’ll most likely experience joint pain for a while.
How is Joint Pain Diagnosed?
A doctor’s evaluation will most likely be required for the initial diagnosis of joint pain. They will typically review the individual’s medical history and perform a physical examination.
They will assess the joints and measure their range of motion as part of the physical exam. A doctor may request laboratory testing to aid in the diagnosis. Blood tests may be performed to check for the following:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Rheumatoid factor
- Antinuclear antibodies
- Uric acid
- C-reactive protein
Imaging Techniques: X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, and CT scan also can be helpful in the diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Joint Pain
There are different methods for relieving joint pain. There’s no reason to change your treatment strategy if it’s working for you. If not, one or more of the treatments described below might be worth trying.
1. Medications:
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, can help with joint pain. However, if these medications do not help joint pain, your doctor may prescribe something more beneficial. It is especially true in cases of nerve depression or lupus, where more specialized treatment may be necessary to treat the pain.
2. Heat And Cold Therapy:
Heat/cold therapy is a treatment that might be helpful for your joint pain. What causes your pain will determine whether you use heat, ice, or both.
3. Rest And Physical Exercise:
Both exercise and rest can be helpful therapies for joint pain. Of all, if you have chronic joint pain, the idea of relaxing is probably far more appealing than the possibility of exercising. And, in certain situations, that instinct is correct! You can usually resume physical exercise after the affected area feels better. Exercise is particularly beneficial in cases of chronic joint pain since it strengthens your joints, making them feel better for a long time.
4. Lifestyle Changes:
Keeping a healthy weight may also help with joint pain. Being overweight puts additional strain on your joints, but maintaining a healthy weight can benefit your joints and general health. Avoid shellfish, red meat, and alcohol if you have gout. These increase the quantity of uric acid in the blood, which might lead to a gout flare-up.
5. Physical Therapy:
A physical therapist is a professionally trained practitioner to assist persons whose injuries or illnesses have limited their range of motion in a joint or limb. They will inspect the damaged area and walk you through the treatment process. A physical therapy plan will most likely involve several of the above-mentioned therapies. It also includes exercises and lifestyle adjustments. Physical therapy can assist you in reducing pain and increasing your strength and flexibility.
6. Injections And Surgery:
When none of the therapies are effective, consider injections or surgery. If you are still in pain, cortisone shots are frequently used when the pain is caused by inflammation, such as arthritis. This treatment can help alleviate your pain and allow you to participate in physical therapy or another therapy to address the underlying cause of your pain. Surgery may be required in severe cases of bursitis, tendonitis, or arthritis. The type of surgery your doctor recommends for you, as well as whether you are a candidate for surgery at all, will be determined by the origin and severity of your joint pain.
