Managing Joint Pain

Joint pain is caused by trauma to the ligament, tissues, or bones surrounding the joint where the pain is felt. Injury can affect only the bones, muscles, or cartilage within the joint; however, sometimes, it may affect both the bones and tissues. Pain is a common feature of joint infections (such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), tissue inflammation (such as lupus and fibromyalgia), and extreme fatigue, combined with stiffness or swelling. Diagnosis involves undertaking blood tests to determine the cause, which may depend on the location of the pain, tenderness, swelling, rapid weight gain or loss, decreased mobility, or a combination of these symptoms.

One of the several standard conditions treated in the doctor’s office for joint pain is pseudogout. Pseudogout is an inflammatory condition, most often caused by the build-up of fluids in the joints, usually due to excess growth of calcium in the joint and in the fluids surrounding it. Usually, the fluids build-up is due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals from purine intake. A typical symptom is the red, swollen, warm skin that produces dark lines on the affected areas. The skin around the joints is irritated, and the patient may have trouble bending and moving. Pseudogout will usually clear up on its own, but it can lead to a more severe condition if not treated properly.

Several types of gels and creams are available to treat joint pains. One of the most common and effective pain reliever gels is Voltaren gel extra strength. Diclofenac diethylamine 2.32% helps reduce swelling and overcome pain in your joints. Applying this gel twice a day can help you keep moving and getting through your daily work without any problem.

You can find quite a few OTC gels and creams that can help overcome pain, but Voltaren Emulgel is the latest innovation in this decade. 

Inflammation around a joint can also cause the symptoms of various forms of arthritis. These include tennis elbow, tendonitis, bursitis, as well as different other types of arthritis. These symptoms are usually a result of irritation to one or more of the nerves or the cartilage. Nerves are involved when nerve roots are affected, causing symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, and paralysis. Cartilage is affected if there is an infection in the fluid surrounding the cartilage, causing the same symptoms.

Other ailments that can induce joint pain are swollen feet, hands, and even legs and joints. Inflammation can be provoked by several health conditions, including the weather, excessive activity, poor circulation, or poor posture. People who stand for long periods at their desks or those with sedentary jobs are more likely to develop swollen feet. Swollen legs and joints are also a sign of various types of arthritis.

There are several distinct kinds of arthritis, some of which are degenerative, which means that they attack the cartilage and become chronic. Other types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints’ bones and tissues. People with rheumatoid arthritis are commonly prescribed medicine to help control their pain with arthritis, but sometimes surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue.

Many different self-care strategies can help alleviate joint pain. The doctor will often prescribe medications to help control symptoms. It is essential to follow all of your doctor’s instructions regarding medications and other self-care strategies. Self-care can include taking vitamins, staying away from alcohol, and quitting smoking.

People with joint pain often have issues with weight loss. Weight loss can exacerbate arthritis symptoms, so it is essential to talk to your doctor about any health issues you have before beginning a weight loss plan. Your doctor will also ask you about your medical history and ask you about your family medical history. Being candid and providing all the information your doctor needs will help them accurately evaluate your health and potential risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and other serious medical problems.

Imaging tests are usually not done to evaluate the progression or severity of your disease. MRI, X-ray, CT scan, and PET scan imaging tests are not done on patients with septic arthritis unless severe inflammation or swelling. Patients with mild to moderate joint pain may get an MRI three to six times a year to evaluate the progression of their disease. Other imaging tests are usually not performed on patients unless there is extreme pain or swelling. When there is a history of kidney stones, gall stones, or osteoporosis, imaging tests are usually not performed unless the doctor thinks it is pertinent to your case. Patients with acute conditions that do not respond to medication should not undergo imaging tests.