What causes joint pain?

Joint pain can have many causes, including injury, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, gout and infection. The location of the pain, how it develops and whether there is swelling or stiffness can help identify the underlying cause.

Joint pain may affect one joint or several joints at the same time. It can be temporary, such as after an injury, or persistent when caused by a longer-term condition.

What are the common symptoms of joint pain?

Joint pain can cause discomfort and difficulty moving the affected area. Other symptoms can provide clues about what is causing the pain, including:

• Swelling or warmth, which can indicate inflammation within or around a joint.
• Morning stiffness, particularly if it lasts for more than 30 minutes.
• Pain during or after activity, which is common with osteoarthritis.
• Pain and stiffness on both sides of the body, which can occur with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Sudden, severe pain and swelling, particularly in a toe or other joint, which can occur with gout.

Joint symptoms can vary over time and may come and go. Persistent or recurring symptoms should be assessed rather than attributed to ageing or normal activity.

What are the common causes of joint pain?

Joint pain may result from mechanical problems, inflammation, injury or infection. Common causes include:

• Osteoarthritis, where changes to the joint can cause pain, stiffness and reduced movement.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the joints.
• Gout, which occurs when urate crystals build up in a joint and cause inflammation.
• Sprains and strains, particularly following exercise, repetitive activity or an injury.
• Joint infection, which can cause a painful, hot and swollen joint and may be accompanied by a high temperature.

Other inflammatory conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, can cause joint pain and swelling. Identifying the cause is important because treatment varies considerably between different conditions.

How is the cause of joint pain diagnosed?

The cause of joint pain is diagnosed through a combination of your symptoms, medical history and physical examination, with tests used when appropriate. There is no single test that can diagnose every type of arthritis.

Depending on the suspected cause, investigations may include blood tests to look for inflammation or antibodies, X-rays or ultrasound scans, and occasionally a sample of fluid from the joint. A rheumatology assessment may be recommended when persistent joint inflammation suggests an inflammatory form of arthritis.

How is joint pain treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may combine medication, physical therapies and lifestyle measures. Options can include:

• Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines, where appropriate and safe to use.
• Physiotherapy and exercise to maintain movement, strength and function.
• Steroid injections for some painful or inflamed joints.
• Disease-modifying medicines for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Surgery, in selected cases where significant joint damage or persistent symptoms require it.

For inflammatory arthritis, starting appropriate treatment promptly can help control inflammation and reduce the risk of long-term joint damage.

When should you seek medical help for joint pain?

You should seek medical advice if joint pain persists, repeatedly returns, affects sleep or normal activities, or is accompanied by prolonged morning stiffness. Persistent swelling, particularly in several joints or the small joints of the hands and feet, warrants prompt assessment because it can indicate inflammatory arthritis.

Urgent medical advice is needed if a joint becomes hot and swollen and you feel generally unwell or have a high temperature. Severe pain following an injury, inability to put weight on a joint or a joint that appears out of place requires urgent assessment.

If you are experiencing joint pain or are concerned about its cause, visit Dr Israa Al-Shakarchi’s Top Doctors profile to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.

References

• NHS. Joint pain.
• NHS. Osteoarthritis.
• NHS. Rheumatoid arthritis.
• NHS. Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis.
• NICE. Rheumatoid arthritis in over 16s.