One of the most common complaints people have regarding their health is joint pain. Whether it’s a knee, shoulder, back, or elbow, people of all ages sometimes suffer from aches around those places’ bones join together. As people age, of course, pains in joints tend to increase, but even young people and young adults often complain about an elbow or a knee causing pain.
Aching joints arise from any number of causes, and, in many cases, only a medical professional can make a proper diagnosis. Nevertheless, because these pains can interfere with normal daily activities, it’s a good idea to treat any discomfort with care and minimize any extra stresses or exertion until the injury has healed.
In many cases, the reason for the pain is evident. For example, sports injuries can result in damage to a joint or tendon and cause related pain. Runners, tennis players, team-sports participants, swimmers, and others who exert stress on their bodies are subject to joint strains or injuries. In many cases, these injuries require medical treatment.
As individuals age, however, other joint problems arise that may also require medical attention. One of the leading causes of joint pain in older adults is arthritis, either osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both of these conditions affect joints and tendons and require medical treatments. When OA strikes, the cartilage in the joint deteriorates, causing bones to compress. This, in turn, puts pressure on nerves and causes pain. RA, on the other hand, causes deformation of the joints. This creates inflammations in joint tissue leading to swelling, stiffness, and pain.
The following list presents other causes of joint pain. Any joint that is red, warm to the touch, or stiff should be evaluated by a medical professional. Also, a joint that has sustained an injury and is both deformed and accompanied by sudden swelling and intense pain should be seen immediately in an emergency room. This list is not complete, so if you are having pains in joints and tendons, please visit a medical professional for treatment advice.
Some of the most common causes of joint pain include:
- Inflammation of the cushioning material between joints (bursitis)
- Inflammation of a tendon associated with a joint (tendinitis)
- Bone or joint infection
- Overuse
- Lupus
- Some diseases such as influenza, mumps, or hepatitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
- Cancer
If you are having pain associated with moving, it’s a good idea to visit your primary care physician for an exam and possible treatment options. In many cases, medications or physical therapies can alleviate or eliminate the problems. If you do not have a primary care physician, feel free to walk-in or make an appointment at one of Emergency Hospital Systems ER’s. We have four convenient locations; two in Cleveland and one each in Spring and Humble. Our clinics are open 24/7/365 and offer short wait times. Also, our sites afford plenty of close-in, free parking. For questions or appointments, please phone our offices, 281-592-5400.