Joint Pain – Causes and Symptoms

Face PainEvery move we make depends on some joint perform­ing properly, whether it's lifting groceries from the car or doing a back-bending dip dancing the tango. But, like breathing, we take this function of our bodies for grant­ed, usually until something goes wrong. You are lucky, indeed, if you haven't experienced joint pain sometime in your life. Usually a hot bath, an aspirin, and a good night's sleep can set things right. If not, you may need an expert diagnosis.

It's time to see your doctor if you have joint pain and:

  1. Recent injury
  2. Swelling
  3. Restricted movement of a joint

If you have damaged the ligaments holding the bones together, you may have dislocated a joint. Your doctor may have to manipulate the joint in order to line the bones up correctly. Surgery might be necessary if you repeatedly dislocate it.

  1. Fever and chills

You may have an infection that needs immediate medical care. Lyme disease is one example of a bacterial infection that affects the joints.

  1. Inflammation of a joint
  2. Limited movement of the joint
  3. Injury or strain to the joint within a week of symp­toms

Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as cush­ions between the working parts of your joints. When you injure or strain a joint, these bursae can become inflamed. This is called bursitis.

  1. Swelling
  2. Warmth in affected area
  3. Muscle pain or tenderness that increases with motion

If you have these symptoms you may have tendini­tis, an inflammation of one of your tendons. It is often caused by an injury, or by repeating the same motion over and over.

  1. Redness and swelling in your joint
  2. Severe pain that usually occurs at night

Gout is a form of acute arthritis marked by inflam­mation of the joints. It is caused by too much uric acid in the blood, which forms crystals in the joints. Attacks usually last about a week.

  1. Morning joint stiffness
  2. Limited movement and dexterity

This could mean osteoarthritis, a condition where the cartilage in your joints gradually breaks down. Usually, you will feel an aching pain when you move or put weight on your joints.

  1. Swelling and redness in your joint
  2. Low fever
  3. General ill-feeling
  4. Severe morning stiffness that can last for hours

These symptoms may indicate the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that inflames the joints. Resting may not bring you relief from the pain.