Many people develop joint pain as they get older, but it affects younger people too. At any age it can be miserable and frustrating. Bart Gatz, MD, and the team at American Interventional Pain Institute in Greenacres, Florida, have the training and experience to help. Call 561-641-0089 to request a consultation.
What causes joint pain?
Your joints are under stress every day as you move, and they can be injured or wear down over time.
Osteoarthritis is a common wear-and-tear cause of joint pain. Other forms of arthritis have different causes: rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, in which the body attacks its own tissue, and septic arthritis comes from an infection.
Injuries to the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles and nerves in a joint can also cause pain. Common causes include:
- Sprained ligaments
- Strained tendons or muscles
- Dislocation
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Bursitis
Joint pain lasting more than a couple of months is considered chronic. Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the pain is.
Treating acute joint pain
If your joint pain comes from an injury, resting the joint so it can heal, then following a physical therapy program to strengthen the muscles around it, usually resolves the pain.
Right after an injury, anti-inflammatory medication eases pain and swelling, and hot and cold therapy can help. Some injuries benefit from a compression bandage, or a splint or cast to take the strain off the joint. Massage and manual therapy can help with some injuries.
Treating recurring joint pain
Long-term joint pain may need more treatment to relieve discomfort and restore function. Some causes, like osteoarthritis, can't be cured, so we focus on relieving symptoms as much as possible.
Treatments for ongoing joint pain include:
- Steroid injections
- Injections into the bursa inside the joint
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency nerve treatment
- Water-cooled radiofrequency treatment
Physical therapy helps every form of long-term joint pain; joints that aren't kept moving can stiffen and get worse. Losing excess weight also takes considerable strain off the joints.
To learn more about treatment for joint pain, call 561-641-0089 to schedule a consultation.