Joint Pain – Rheumatology
Joint pain is a discomfort that can occur in any area of the human body where two or more bones meet with tendons, cartilage, and muscles to form bendable limbs. Depending on severity, pain can range from mildly irritating to debilitating and may go away after a few weeks (acute), or last for several weeks or months (chronic). Even short-term pain and swelling in the joints can affect a patient’s quality of life. The doctors at Alpharetta and Cumming Internal Medicine can diagnose the cause of joint pain and offer solutions to reduce pain and inflammation to preserve joint function.
Joint pain is an extremely common condition with many reported causes stemming from the natural aging process, injury, and illness including:
- Osteoarthritis: Inflammation of the joints where bones meet in one or more areas of the body.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is an autoimmune disease causing joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function.
- Spondylitis: A form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine causing severe inflammation of the vertebrae.
- Sprains and Strains: Sprains occur at joints and affect ligaments, which connect bone to bone. Strains affect muscles or tendons, which connect muscle to bone.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Is a debilitating disorder that causes muscle and multi-joint pain without redness or swelling.
- Fibromyalgia: Is a chronic disorder with widespread, unexplained pain in the muscles and joints.
- Bursitis: Caused by fluid-filled sacs found in the joints where tendons, skin, and muscle tissues meet bones.
- Gout: Swelling and pain in the joints of the feet caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood.
Symptoms of Rheumatology
Depending on the cause of joint pain, a patient’s symptoms can vary from minor swelling to complete loss of motion in a joint.
- Joint noise (clicking, popping, crackling)
- Redness
- Reduced mobility (range of motion of the joint)
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Visible deformity of the affected joint
- High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Muscle weakness
- Pain in several joints with rash
Treatment Options
After an examination, one or more of the following treatments may be suggested by your physician for joint pain relief:
- Medication: such as anti-inflamatants to reduce swelling.
- Topical Agents: to provide temporary on the spot pain relief.
- Injections: to reduce pain and inflamation.
- Physical Therapy: a targeted exercise program will help to provide a full range of motion over time.