Sometimes, you just ache. Arthritis causes pain in your fingers, wrists, hips, knees and other joints. And you might be reminded now and then of an old football injury or a slide down icy steps from years back. Most of us just put up with joint pain, but there are things you can do to make it less painful and disruptive to your lifestyle. For more information on creaky joints call the nearest NY Family Docs office or schedule an appointment online.
Joint Pain
Q & A
What causes joint pain?
Arthritis is a condition that causes your joints to wear out faster than normal, making it a leading cause of chronic pain.
You can also develop joint aches and pain along with muscle stiffness due to:
Infection
Dislocation
Fractures
Inflammation
Direct trauma
(like slipping down the stairs)
Overuse injuries
For some, joint pain comes and goes and becomes part of the background of life. However, if left untreated, some causes of joint pain can become chronic and debilitating.
How is joint pain diagnosed?
During a visit for joint pain, your NY Family Docs provider reviews your personal and family history along with your symptoms to find a possible cause.
You can expect a physical exam to evaluate your overall health and a thorough assessment of your joint flexibility and strength, which means you will be bending, lifting and mentioning when it hurts.
In some cases, your doctor will request imaging tests like X-rays or a CT scan to get a look inside the pain-causing elbow, knee or spine. These tests can confirm or rule out conditions like fractures, arthritis and infection.
These tests can be conveniently scheduled at a nearby radiology/imaging center.
What treatments are available for joint pain?
If your joint pain is the result of arthritis, your healthcare provider will draw up a treatment plan to ease existing pain and improve your ability to get around in the long-term. Treatment can involve medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes (exercise and eating more salads) to address pain and stiffness and prevent your condition from getting worse.
You might also get a referral to a specialist if you need treatment or surgery for advanced arthritis. In some cases, a badly damaged joint requires surgical repair or replacement.
And if you have an infection in your joint, we will prescribe medicine to clear it up and prevent additional problems.
Stop ignoring your chronic joint pain. For an accurate diagnosis, schedule an evaluation today by calling the office nearest you or by booking online. We offer same-day and next-day appointments.