Joint Pain

Pain and stiffness in one or more joints are some of the most common reasons that people see their doctors. 

Causes

Joint pain can be caused by problems with the structure around the joint, such as a tendon, bursa, ligament or muscle.

Common causes include:

• Overuse or unusual exertion

• Fracture or dislocation

• Osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage (the cushion where the bones in a joint meet) is worn away, allowing the bones to rub on each other

• Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues

• Tendonititis, inflammation of a tendon (joins muscle to bone)

• Bursitis, inflammation of a bursa (a fluid-filled sac between a tendon and skin, or between a tendon and bone)

• Lupus, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the joints and other organs

Self-Care

Self-care for joint pain includes rest, over-the-counter pain medication, assistive devices and physical therapy to help ease pain.