What are joints?
Joints are the parts of your body where two or more of your bones meet. These areas work hard and come under a lot of strain, so it's not surprising that joint pain is a common problem.
Most joints form where one bone ends and another begins. Shoulders and hips form a ball and socket, so the upper arm bone (humerus) fits into the glenoid socket in your shoulder blade while the thigh bone (femur) fits into the acetabular socket in your pelvis.
Some joints have additional bones, for example, the patella (kneecap) in your knee. Cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons stabilize the joints and help you move.
What causes joint pain?
Any injury or disease that affects the structures making up your knee can cause joint pain, including:
- Arthritis
- Ligament sprains and tears
- Tendon strains and tears
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Trapped nerves
- Chronic post-surgical pain
- Fractures
- Dislocations
Examples of conditions whose primary symptom is joint pain include knee and hip arthritis, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), ankle arthritis, as well as spine conditions that can cause radiating pain.
How is joint pain diagnosed?
To produce an accurate diagnosis of your joint pain, your Total Joint Specialists provider reviews your current symptoms and medical history, and discusses any issues that could be causing or worsening your joint pain, like the job you do or your hobbies.
They examine the painful joints and, where necessary, use blood tests and diagnostic imaging like X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI to diagnose the root cause of your joint pain.
What treatments can help with joint pain?
The Total Joint Specialists team customizes your treatment program for joint pain according to the underlying cause of your condition, the severity of your symptoms, and your personal preferences and aims.
Some of the many innovative and effective non-surgical approaches to treating joint pain that might be in your treatment plan include:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
- Activity modification
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Joint injections
If these treatments aren't relieving your joint pain, or you have a condition that's unlikely to improve using conservative methods, surgery might be necessary. This could involve tissue repair or reconstruction or joint replacement surgery.
To get relief from your joint pain, call Total Joint Specialists today or request an appointment online.
