Joint Pain
Joint pain — soreness, stiffness or swelling in one or more joints — is very common and often caused by injury or wear-and-tear arthritis. Most short-lived pain settles with rest and self-care, but joints that are hot, very swollen, locked or painful alongside fever, or pain that does not improve, should be assessed by a doctor.
What Is Joint Pain?
What is joint pain?
Joint pain is discomfort, aching or soreness in any of the body's joints — most often the knees, hips, shoulders, hands or spine. It may affect a single joint or many at once, and it can occur with or without swelling, stiffness or reduced movement.
Is joint pain common?
Very. Joint pain becomes more common with age and is also frequent after injury or repetitive overuse. Most episodes are not serious, but persistent or severe joint pain deserves a proper assessment.
Possible Causes
What causes joint pain?
The most common cause is osteoarthritis, the gradual wear of the smooth cartilage that cushions a joint. Other causes include inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, injuries such as sprains and ligament tears, inflammation of the surrounding tissues (bursitis or tendinitis) and, less often, infection.
How can I tell what is causing it?
The pattern offers clues: osteoarthritis tends to affect one or a few joints and worsen with use, while inflammatory arthritis often affects several joints with prolonged morning stiffness. Redness, heat and swelling point to inflammation or infection. A doctor can examine the joint and arrange blood tests or imaging if needed.
Care and Treatment
How is joint pain treated?
Treatment depends on the cause. It may include balancing rest with gentle activity, ice or heat, physiotherapy, weight management and pain relief as advised by your doctor. Inflammatory arthritis needs specific medicines to control it, and severe joint damage may be helped by injections or, ultimately, joint-replacement surgery.
What can I do at home?
Gentle, regular movement and exercises that strengthen the muscles around a joint help protect it. Reaching and keeping a healthy weight reduces the load on weight-bearing joints, and supportive footwear can ease knee and hip pain. Avoid pushing through sharp or worsening pain.
When To See a Doctor
When should I see a doctor for joint pain?
See a doctor if joint pain is severe, follows a significant injury, comes with marked swelling, prevents you using the joint, or lasts more than a few weeks. Joint pain alongside unexplained weight loss or a general feeling of being unwell should also be checked.
When is joint pain urgent?
A single joint that is hot, very swollen and intensely painful — especially with a fever — can signal a joint infection, which needs urgent medical care. Seek help quickly rather than waiting.
Additional Common Questions
Is joint pain always a sign of arthritis?
No. While arthritis is a common cause, joint pain often comes from injuries, overuse, gout, infection or temporary viral illnesses. Because the causes and treatments differ, persistent or severe joint pain should be assessed so the right reason can be identified.
When is a swollen joint an emergency?
A joint that is hot, red and very swollen, especially with a fever, can signal an infected joint, which needs urgent medical care. A joint that looks deformed or cannot bear weight after an injury should also be checked promptly.
How long should I wait before seeing a doctor about joint pain?
Minor joint pain often settles within a couple of weeks with rest and self-care. If pain, swelling or stiffness lasts longer than that, keeps returning, or interferes with daily life, it is sensible to see a doctor for an assessment.
Does losing weight help with joint pain?
For pain in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, losing excess weight reduces the load on those joints and can ease symptoms, particularly in osteoarthritis. Combined with appropriate exercise, it is often part of managing long-term joint pain.
Sources
This health topic is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual situation. See our medical disclaimer.