Joint pain, also referred to as ‘arthralgia’, can occur in one or more joints. It can occur due to different types of injuries, infections, or far more rarely, tumors of the joint. Irrespective of the cause, joint pain can cause extreme discomfort and can seriously impact on quality of life.

Joint Pain – Overview

Painful Joints

Although commonly caused by injuries, joint pain can be caused by more serious conditions like rheumatoid arthritis - an autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness and pain in the joints, and osteoarthritis, which involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of cartilage at a joint. Osteoarthritis is very common in adults older than 45.

The symtpoms of joint pain are very much dependent on the cause. Symptoms primarily include, swelling, redness, pain and stiffness of the joint.

When treating joint pain doctors focus on targeting the underlying cause of pain. Anti-inflammatory medications along with adequate rest, warm baths, massage, and stretching exercises may provide you with relief from symptoms and help you perform routine activities without too much discomfort.