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Understanding Joint Pain
Managing Joint Pain
There are dozens of joints in your body. They range in size from large, such as the shoulder and hip joints, to very small, such as the joints of the fingers. Because of these joints, you are able to perform a wide range of movements, including bending over, climbing stairs, kneeling, reaching, throwing and grasping objects. When your joints are working properly, you can move effortlessly and painlessly. The Healthy Joint
A joint is any place on your body where two or more bones connect. The knee, shoulder, elbow, finger, hip and other such structures are considered "freely movable joints," because they provide a high degree of flexibility. These joints are surrounded by muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves - all of which provide stability and contribute to motion. Within the joint, a smooth and slick tissue called cartilage covers the ends of the bones, preventing friction when the bones move against one another. In a properly functioning joint, the healthy cartilage acts like ice against ice, allowing for pain-free and effortless movement. The Damaged Joint
In a damaged joint, the cartilage becomes roughened and acts like sandpaper against sandpaper, making movement difficult and painful. When this happens, the joint may become stiff, swollen and sore; and the pain may interfere with your ability to perform many activities. Degenerative arthritis
A condition that damages cartilage - is one of the most common causes of joint pain. It occurs in many people over age 60 and can become progressively worse, making pain and swelling more difficult to relieve. Though degenerative arthritis can affect any joint, it usually occurs in joints of the hips, knees, shoulders and fingers. Symptoms of degenerative arthritis include: pain in or near the joint; swelling; crepitance (crackling of the joint); and loss of mobility. Joint Pain: When to See Your Doctor
Mild joint pain that occurs with activity generally can be controlled with self-help measures. Rest, topical ointments and the use of over-the-counter medications - such as aspirin and ibuprofen - are usually very effective in treating mild cases. But when joint pain becomes more severe or persistent, it may be necessary to see your doctor. You should seek medical attention when the pain and swelling: - Occur even when you’re not involved in an activity.
- Cannot be relieved by rest or reduced by over-the-counter medications.
- Interfere with your ability to perform many activities, such as climbing stairs, bending over or grasping objects.
- Awaken you from sleep.
The Outlook for Patients with Joint Pain
Your doctor has a variety of treatment options available to treat joint pain associated with degenerative arthritis. Non-surgical treatments - such as medications and steroid injections - can successfully relieve symptoms in many people. Surgical treatments, including total joint replacements, also are highly effective in severe cases. Because degenerative arthritis tends to affect more than one area of the body, people with pain in one joint often find that the pain develops elsewhere, too. But with early medical intervention, symptom control and effective treatments, many patients are able to remain active and relatively pain-free.
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