Joint Pain
What is Joint pain?
Any kind of aches, soreness of discomfort caused in the body’s joints is termed as joint pain. The pain can be of low to extreme intensity and may last for few weeks to several months.
What are the causes of Joint pain?
Joint pain can be caused by several conditions or injuries such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone infection
- Joint infection
- Fractures
- Strain or sprains
- Bursitis
- Gout
- Viral infections such as Rheumatic fever, mumps, Hepatitis, Flu
Treating these conditions is essential as if left untreated, it can cause permanent disability.
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
Following are the symptoms associated with joint pain:
- Joint swelling
- Muscle stiffness
- Joint stiffness
- Cramps
- Muscle weakness
How it is diagnosed?
There are many methods to exactly diagnose the condition. Other conditions also exhibit similar symptoms, hence it is important to perform certain tests apart from routine medical and physical examinations.
- X-ray
- MRI
- Bone Densitometry
- Blood tests
What are the available treatments?
In order to treat joint pain, doctors must consider patient’s physique, health and lifestyle. Depending on those traits, the available treatments will be implemented. The main goal of the treatment is:
- To prevent or completely cure the pain
- To achieve normal life
- To improve joint functionality
- To decrease the stress exerted on joints
- To maintain body weight
Available lifestyle modifications to prevent joint pain?
Maintaining physique is extremely important, followed by
- Not exerting too much stress on joints
- Giving complete rest to the affected joint
- Performing daily activities without involving the affected joint
- Choosing right footwear to reduce the stress
- Avoiding actions that force the joint to twist or bend
