There can be many different reasons for joint pain, and it’s important to get to the bottom of what’s causing it so you can get appropriate treatment. Sometimes joint pain can be a sign of injury or infection, indicating that your body is working to heal the affliction – but other times it can point towards arthritis or an autoimmune condition.
While googling your symptoms can be unhelpful and lead to scary, often unrealistic conclusions, it can be helpful to get an indication of what might be going on so you can talk to your doctor about your concerns. With that in mind, here are 7 reasons joints hurt and what you can do to treat them.
1. Osteoarthritis
As we go through life, our joints are exposed to low level damage. The body usually repairs this and you won’t notice it, but this isn’t always the case. Osteoarthritis is a chronic pain condition where cartilage – the strong, flexible connective tissue which cushions your joints and stops the bones rubbing against each other – wears down. This can lead to swelling, tenderness and pain which can affect any joint in the body, although it is most common in the knees, hips and hands. It’s important to remain active when you have osteoarthritis, as keeping your muscles strong will take pressure off of the joints and help you keep your mobility. It’s important to keep your body safe while exercising, so talk to your doctor who can help you come up with an exercise plan that is tailored to your needs.
“Aside from prescribing over-the-counter acetaminophen [paracetamol] or mild oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, I typically try to focus on non-pharmacological interventions such as weight loss (if the patient is obese), strength training exercises, and occupational therapy,” says Thomas Pontinen, a certified physician and co-founder of MAPS.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen can be very helpful for managing the pain of arthritis, but they are not suitable for everyone and can sometimes cause side effects such as headaches, stomach pain, digestive issues, chest pain and sensitivity to light.
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2. Flu
You might not associate the flu with joint pain, but it can cause inflammation which can lead to body aches – and this can affect joints as well as muscles.
“The flu affects people of all ages throughout the year, especially during colder seasons,” says Thomas Pontinen. “A simple viral flu can trigger a systemic immune response, causing inflammation through the entire body, which is largely the cause of malaise and joint pain.”
You may be eligible for a flu vaccine which can help ward off the illness, and if you do catch it, it can often be treated with home remedies.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
“Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body identifies itself as foreign, which causes immune responses to attack the body’s own joints,” says Thomas Pontinen.
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of the joints which can lead to painful swelling, and the inflammation can also damage other parts of the body. Symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis include tender, swollen, warm joints, joint stiffness, fatigue, fever and loss of appetite. There is no current cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early treatment and intervention can limit damage and reduce symptoms.
“I’ve often prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs to treat RA,” says Thomas Pontinen.” Examples of medications for RA include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. Close follow-up is essential.”
4. Injury and physical trauma
While inflammation in an autoimmune situation can be very detrimental, inflammation can also be a positive response which shows that your body is repairing damage and telling us that we need to rest.
“Intense exercise or periods of exertion can cause trauma to muscles and connective tissues in the joints,” says Thomas Pontinen. “Any injury to the joints will trigger an immune response. Aside from joint pain, trauma can cause redness and swelling in the area. This kind of situation is where we’ll want to remember R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress. Elevate). Rest will help give the joint time to heal. Ice wrapped in a towel and applied every 20 minutes relieves the swelling. Compressing the area with a bandage and elevating the site above the heart also helps relieve swelling.”
5. Infection
Joint pain can sometimes be caused by infections such as septic arthritis, which typically affects children more than adults and can be caused by bacteria and viruses.
“Septic arthritis is caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that have directly infected the joints,” says Thomas Pontinen. “Because the joint synovium is rich in blood vessels, it becomes an easy entry point for harmful pathogens. It may occur due to injury and open wounds over the area. Antibiotics are the mainstay treatment for this case. Make sure to complete the fully prescribed antibiotic dose.”
6. Gout
The main symptoms of gout are sudden, severe joint pain which often affects the big toe, but can also be felt in the wrists, feet, hands, elbows and knees. The skin covering the affected joint is often red, hot and swollen.
“Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by elevated uric acid levels in the blood,” says Thomas Pontinen. “Excessive urate crystals deposited in the joint trigger an immune response over the area, leading to inflammatory symptoms. Diet plays a massive role in developing gout. Foods high in uric acid, such as alcohol, organ meat, red meat, and seafood, should be avoided or, at the very least, consumed in moderate amounts. Aside from urate-lowering drugs and NSAIDs, I always emphasise adhering to a Low-uric acid diet. Medications may not help if the patient continues to expose themselves to the triggers. Staying hydrated, minimising alcohol consumption, and staying active while managing body weight will also help minimise the effects of gout.”
Symptoms of gout usually last for a week or two if left untreated, and it’s really important to see a doctor if you suspect gout because when left untreated you may experience further attacks and potential joint damage.
7. Bursitis
Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small sacs that cushion the bones, muscles and tendons near your joints. You may have bursitis if you are experiencing a dull ache in the joint, if the skin covering the joint is warm and tender, if the joint is swollen and if you experience pain when pressing the painful area.
“Overused joints may lead to bursitis, an inflammation of the bursa, which are fluid-filled sacs that help cushion joints,” says Thomas Pontinen. “If there’s too much repeated pressure over the area, be it from overuse or trauma, the bursa cannot handle the stress, resulting in a tear. A damaged bursa will often go away on its own with rest and care. I advise R.I.C.E. and NSAIDs for bursitis.”
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