Joint pain has many different causes, thereby requiring different treatments. Whether the inflammation or injury is sports-related, age-related, job-related, or accident-related, the pain can be successfully treated so you can get back to enjoying life.
A medical expert in pain treatment is your best option in finding long-term pain relief that works for you. Let’s talk about some of the most common causes of joint pain, how it can be alleviated, and where you can go here in Kansas City to finally achieve relief from your joint pain.
What Causes Joint Pain?
Some of the main reasons why you may be suffering from joint pain include the following:
Osteoarthritis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the top cause of joint pain is arthritis – affecting at least 15 million people in the United States alone – and osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage which cushions your bones in a joint wears down, and this can happen to people of virtually all ages. Your joint can then become stiff and painful.
People who have osteoarthritis tend to feel pain in one or more of the following areas:
- Knees
- Hips
- Elbows
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Back
- Hands
- Feet
Joint pain caused by this type of arthritis worsens from continual movement. You may feel it as sharp episodes of pain or as a constant ache.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is a rheumatic disorder. With RA, your joints can become inflamed, develop deformity, and feel stiff, swollen, and warm.
RA develops gradually. The following are telltale signs of RA:
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Weight loss
- Numbness
An issue with rheumatoid arthritis is that it can spread to other organs as well, such as the eyes and the heart. However, RA can be treated with special antirheumatic medications.
Gout
This type of arthritis develops due to high levels of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid builds up, it causes crystal-like formations that can settle in the joints. This accumulation can cause severe pain, burning sensation, and swelling.
Typically, joint pain due to gout is experienced in your big toe, ankle, or knee. It can be remedied by drinking plenty of water.
Bursitis and Tendonitis
In addition to arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis can also cause joint pain due to inflammation. In bursitis, pain is due to an irritated bursa. The bursae are sacs of fluid surrounding your joints to help them move smoothly. In tendonitis, soreness is caused by one or more inflamed tendons near a joint.
How Can Joint Pain Be Treated?
After your doctor performs an evaluation and determines the cause of your joint pain, the physician may prescribe a topical medication or an oral medication. The doctor may also recommend and administer a pain-relief injection treatment, which can last for weeks or months at a time.
Many people also find relief from physical therapy, and this is often done in conjunction with other treatments for optimum effectiveness in tackling your joint pain.
Pain Management Clinic in Blue Springs, MO
Here at Core Medical Center in Blue Springs, our goal is to address your condition by treating the underlying cause of your joint pain instead of simply masking your symptoms. Our pain-relief experts have many years of experience in successfully treating pain of all kinds, from arthritis to fibromyalgia to sports injuries.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (816) 427-0201 or by filling out our appointment request form online. If you are a physician referring a patient to us, you can find our referral form here. We look forward to helping you live a pain-free lifestyle!
