Joint pain can occur where two or more bones meet with tendons, cartilage, and muscles to form bendable limbs. The pain can range from mildly irritating to debilitating and may go away after a few weeks (acute), or last for several weeks or months (chronic). Even short-term pain and swelling in the joints can affect a patient’s quality of life. The doctors at Woodbridge Internal Medical Associates can diagnose the cause of joint pain and offer solutions to reduce pain and inflammation to preserve joint function.
Joint pain is an extremely common condition with many reported causes stemming from the natural aging process, injury, and illness including:
Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of the cartilage which cushions the the joints where bones meet in one or more areas of the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation, joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function.
Sprains and Strains: Sprains can affect ligaments which connect bones between joints.. Strains affect muscles or tendons, which connect muscle to bone.
Bursitis: Inflammation of normally occurring fluid-filled sacs found in the joints where tendons, skin, and muscle tissues meet bones.
Gout: A chronic intermittent condition of swelling and pain, typically in a single joint and is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood.
Depending on the cause of joint pain, a patient’s symptoms can vary from minor swelling to complete loss of motion in a joint.
After an examination, one or more of the following treatments may be suggested by your physician for joint pain relief:
- Medication: such as anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling.
- Topical Agents: to provide temporary on the spot pain relief.
- Injections: to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy: a targeted exercise program will help to provide a full range of motion over time.