Overcoming Intense Joint Pain

A recent poll completed by the University of Michigan has found that 70% of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 have experienced symptoms of joint pain or arthritis, with women being 10% more likely to report discomfort than men.

Gout, for example, is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis that can cause sudden, intense joint pain. Interestingly, it is a condition more common in men than in women and will often come in flares, lasting two to three weeks at a time. However, some other forms of joint discomfort and arthritis can be persistently painful problems.

Regardless of the cause, intense joint pain can begin interfering with your daily activities and overall well-being if left untreated. You see, individuals suffering from joint discomfort can experience many uncomfortable symptoms, including aches and pains, stiffness, reduced range of motion, grating sensations within the joint, and joint swelling.

Additionally, longstanding joint discomforts are often a challenging symptom to manage, having a long-standing influence on a person’s overall quality of life. This can include reduced normal mobility, which disrupts basic daily tasks, social isolation, and an increased risk of depression.

The University of Michigan’s 2022 National Poll on Healthy Aging also found that 66% of people reported taking over-the-counter pain relievers for their joint pain, which, if taken for an extended period, may begin to impact a person’s general health, particularly their stomach and liver.

Properly addressing all forms of joint pain is an essential aspect of supporting normal and comfortable movements, preventing pain, and maintaining quality of life as we age.

This article will cover the fundamental concepts of joint pain, including the causes and potential medical conditions typically associated with it. We’ll also share vital insights into how doctors approach a joint pain diagnosis, as well as the most typically prescribed treatment options.

We’re excited to present the Neuragenex Neurofunctional Pain Management solutions, offering a promising approach for individuals to alleviate their joint discomfort. Explore how Neurofunctional Pain Management can effectively address pain and inflammation associated with various chronic health conditions, all without relying on harsh drugs or surgical procedures.

Now, let’s get right in and discover more about joint pain and the range of presenting features it can have.

What Is Joint Pain?

Arthralgia is the medical term for joint pain in any joint of the body. Ranging from slight irritation to severe discomfort, the extent of associated symptoms for joint pain will largely depend on the underlying cause and can vary greatly between individuals.

Joint pain can affect a single joint (arthralgia) or multiple joints simultaneously, a condition called polyarthralgia or polyarticular pain. Much like the symptoms, the number of joints affected will depend on the cause and severity of the joint pain and whether it’s linked to a specific illness or injury.

Arthralgia can stem from a range of factors such as injury, overexertion, strain, or poor posture during certain movements that were performed before the pain appeared. For example, if a person experiences discomfort in their knee after a strenuous workout or doing chores, it is likely arthralgia specific to that joint.

Polyarticular pain, on the other hand, affects several joints and is commonly seen in medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout. In scenarios such as these, pain tends to be more widespread and generally leads to a more impactful effect on a person’s ability to perform daily activities and on their overall quality of life.

Gaining this understanding of being able to differentiate between joint pain that is arthralgia or polyarticular helps guide an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. It provides a deeper insight into your condition, helping you and your doctor rule out underlying causes and tailor their diagnostic tests and interventions accordingly.

For instance, if you tell your doctor that you are experiencing pain in many of your joints, being polyarticular, it is more likely that a systemic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis may be considered, necessitating a different approach compared to localized joint pain that may be more indicative of a joint sprain or tissue damage.

Perhaps you’ve recently suffered from a joint injury where the pain is lingering or getting worse. Or, if you’re not sure what’s causing your pain and are starting to experience it through multiple joints, it’s normal to be curious as to what the underlying causes may be. In the next section, we’ll explore the risk factors of intense joint pain.

Risk Factors For Joint Pain

Joint pain, both arthralgia and polyarticular, is caused by a wide range of underlying variables. We’ve included a list of some of the most prevalent risk factors below:

• Injury or trauma: Sustaining injury and trauma to a joint, such as fractures or dislocations, can result in acute joint pain. It’s essential to seek proper medical attention and rehabilitation strategies for a successful recovery to prevent further damage that will cause more problems later on.
• Strain: Overuse or repetitive motion can result in strain on the joint and its surrounding structures, causing acute pain. This is common in occupations or activities that involve repetitive movements, such as bricklaying or high-impact sports.
• Poor posture: An incorrect posture, especially when sustained for long periods, is highly likely to contribute to joint pain, e.g. neck pain from desk work. Ensuring you have a good ergonomic setup and a supportive posture is essential for joint health.
• Lack of exercise: Engaging in regular exercise helps to keep joints flexible as well as strengthen their surrounding ligaments and muscles. Lack of exercise can lead to joint weakness and imbalances, contributing to pain.
• Inactivity and immobility: Leading a sedentary lifestyle or experiencing prolonged periods of inactivity can lead to joint stiffness and discomfort. Even just a short walk or some chair exercises done daily could make a difference and improve your joint health.
• Obesity: Carrying excess weight puts additional stress on joints, particularly those in the knees, hips, and lower back.

Understanding the underlying causes of joint pain can help you proactively improve your joint health and develop effective pain management strategies that target the underlying cause. In the next section, we’ll discuss the medical conditions that can lead to painful joints in more detail.

Medical Conditions That Can Cause Intense Joint Pain

Intensely painful joints are well known to be triggered by a number of medical conditions. For most people, chronic arthritis is the first medical condition that comes to mind.

You might find it interesting to learn that arthritis is the medical term to describe joint swelling or inflammation, which can actually encompass more than 100 joint and joint-related conditions.

While osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common forms of arthritis, this term can also be used for less suspecting conditions such as gout, fibromyalgia, and ankylosing spondylitis.

It’s important to remember that if your pain is becoming an ongoing problem, there may be an underlying explanation. Let’s explore some of the more common ones below:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

As an auto-immune form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the immune system getting confused and attacking your joints instead of protecting them. The damage caused by the immune system leads to inflammation and swelling in the lining of the joints, causing pain and reduced mobility. It can sometimes even cause visible joint disfigurement.

Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis is a condition where swelling and inflammation of the joint occur as a result of infection. This particular form of arthritis is not a pleasant experience, as infection within the tight joint space can lead to intense pain and discomfort. If not treated quickly, this condition can lead to lasting joint damage, or the infection may spread into the bone and generate major complications. If you have a reason to believe your joint may be infected, it is highly recommended you seek prompt medical attention.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a different form of joint pain that commonly affects larger joints such as the shoulders, hips, knees, and elbows. The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion these large joints, allowing them to move smoothly. When the bursae become inflamed and irritated, this is called bursitis. It can occur due to overuse, strain, or degeneration (wear and tear) and leads to significant pain and stiffness, requiring rest and rehabilitation.

Tendonitis

Our tendons are close neighbors to our joints, connecting muscles to bone. Every time you contract your muscles, it’s the tendons that harness that power for limb movement. Tendonitis occurs when tendons become inflamed from overuse or injury, which can lead to pain and tenderness around the affected area, including the joints.

Understanding more about these conditions helps you have a better idea of what might be causing your intense joint pain. If you already have a diagnosis and are looking for relief from ongoing discomfort, keep reading to learn how we can help.