Overview
Joint pain can be discomfort, pain or inflammation arising from any part of a joint, including cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, or muscles. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including postural issues, repetitive stress, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors.
Causes
The causes of joint pain vary depending on the joint, and different issues may affect different parts of the body.
Shoulder Pain
- Tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis) or tendon tear
- Impingement
- Instability
- Arthritis
- Fracture (broken bone)
- Cervical nerve root irritation
Hip Pain
- Arthritis
- Labral tears
- Sprains, bursitis or tendinitis
- Pinched nerve
- Repetitive strain / improper movement
Knee Pain
- Arthritis
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
- Torn meniscus
- Fractures
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Hip Conditions
- Excess Weight
- Overuse syndromes (e.g., bursitis, tendonitis, patellofemoral syndrome)
- Foot disorders
Elbow Pain
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Repetitive strain injury
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Repetitive movements, injury and wear-and-tear can cause ongoing discomfort.
Symptoms
Joint pain can manifest in a number of ways, including:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
Risk Factors
Primary risk factors of joint pain include:
- Advanced age – some deterioration is natural as we age, and joint issues are more likely in older adults
- Family history – you are more likely to suffer from joint pain if you have a family history of conditions such as arthritis
- Obesity – being overweight puts additional strain on your joints which may cause a greater degree of wear and tear
- Previous injury
- Smoking – smoking cigarettes is very unhealthy and contributes to a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues
- Stress – mental health is a critical component of physical pain and stress can be a contributor to pain in the joints and elsewhere
- Occupational hazards – hard manual labor can put a great deal of stress on the joints
Diagnosis
Joint pain is diagnosed through a medical history and physical examination. Certain imaging tests are also helpful, including x-ray, CT scan and MRI. In certain instances, blood work may also be helpful.
Treatments
- Treatment for joint pain may include:
- Heat or ice application
- Activity modification
- Exercise, strengthening
- Weight loss
- Topical treatments
- Medications
- Evidence-based supplements
- Brace/splint use
- Physical therapy
- Photobiomodulation
- Injections, regenerative medicine
- Surgery in severe cases
Prevention
There are a number of simple behavioral methods you can use to reduce your risk of both acute and chronic joint pain, including:
- Wholesome anti-inflammatory diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying active
- Building muscle strength
- Sticking to low impact exercises
- Avoiding injury
- Staying hydrated
- Using correct posture
