When you are experiencing joint pain, it distracts you because you keep thinking of the pain and discomfort all day which can even go on for weeks. Usually, it is hard for you to focus because each time you move or exert weight on the affected joint, you experience pain each time you stress the affected joint. And when certain activities cause you to experience pain, you end up sacrificing them even if they are your hobbies. However, you do not have to live with joint pain as a permanent condition because there are various ways or methods you can apply to help ease the pain, thus allowing you to take part in your daily chores normally. Therefore, if you are experiencing pain in any joint in the body and seek relief, Hazlet joint pain specialists provide a solution to all your problems. They begin by assessing the affected joint to determine the cause, which helps direct your care provider in offering the best treatment. Hence if you are interested in learning more about joint pain, read below.
What is joint pain?
Generally, the role of joints is to connect one bone to the other. They also stabilize the body as you move to prevent falling. However, when a disease or injury damages any joint, it inflames it, causing pain and discomfort while moving or using the joint. Usually, the distress can last for days or even weeks and can be felt in any joint on the body ranging from tiny finger or nail bones to large bones like the hip bone.
What are the causes of joint pain?
Before your care provider decides on which treatment will be most effective for you, he starts by performing a thorough examination to identify the cause. Examples of conditions that can cause joint discomfort may include:
- Osteoarthritis
When the cartilage found between the bones forming the joint is worn out or tears with time, you develop osteoarthritis. It is also a degenerative joint disease.
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Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis referred to as an autoimmune disease because it involves your immune system attacking healthy tissues around your joint. As a result, you begin experiencing pain, swelling, and eventually deformity of the affected joint.
- Gout
It is another type of arthritis that usually affects your big toe, not your entire body.
- Injury
Injuries or strain can also cause joint pain.
How to find relief for joint pain?
Your care provider begins by educating you on various at-home care practices you can apply to help reduce joint pain, including massage, hot or cold compression, and exercising. However, you require additional strategies to supplement the practices you are doing at home for pain relief. In addition to avoiding activities that trigger pain in the affected joint, your care provider may recommend pain medications such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and topical creams to alleviate pain.
Of importance to note is that growing older does not mean developing pain in any joint. Therefore, irrespective of age, you should not ignore joint pain but instead seek immediate medical help. Hence if you are experiencing joint pain and seek relief, you can start by scheduling your appointment at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics today.
