The Realities of Joint Pain

Our joints are the places where our bodies articulate, so that we can walk, talk, play, and even breathe.

We seldom think of them until they worry us as a result of injury, or perhaps disease.

When the pain becomes a feature that persists, even for just a few days we ought to take it seriously – in extreme cases we could become permanently crippled if we neglect Mother Nature’s cautionary signs.

The Structure of Our Joints

Our joints are the places where our individual bones link together, yet remain independently mobile within limits. Muscles around them prevent the bones from moving apart, while allowing them to move in synchrony within control.

Cartilage between our bones prevents them from rubbing directly against each other or colliding, and lubricates the way they rotate around each other’s ends. When this system that allows athletes to reach fresh new heights fails, it announces this as joint pain. This may vary from mild through to excruciating, but every case requires some form of response.

Most Common Causes of Joint Pain

Joint pain is usually the result of infection, disease or medical trauma. It is in our nature to react to sudden change - this is why pain caused by accidents receives such immediate attention, while gradually increasing pain caused by infection or disease often lingers.

Most of us are also naturally inclined to overlook bad news in the hope that it will go away, and as a consequence our hospitals are filled with people suffering from chronic joint diseases that have spun out of control. Medical issues are always best attended to when they first arise, and that includes joint pain.

When to Consult a Doctor

You should consult your health care provider if any of the above symptoms apply to you:

• Severe joint pain that you cannot explain
• Any joint pain that has lasted for more than three days
• Unexpected weight loss exceeding 10 pounds
• A fever not associated with flu

Information Your Doctor Needs about Your Joint Pain

A doctor cannot read your mind or feel your pain for you. This is no time for bravado either. They can only make an informed diagnosis and begin effective treatment after you provide the necessary feedback that they require.

For example:

• Describe how you feel - Which joint or joints hurt, when did it start? Have you had the problem before? How did it develop, is it getting worse, and does it come and go?


• Say what you think caused it - Did you have an accident or strain the joint? Have you been ill, or have you had a fever?


• Explain what makes the joint pain better or worse - Does it help to rest the joint, or to exercise it? Are there positions where it hurts less or more, does elevating the limb help?


• Describe what you tried to do yourself - Have you taken medication, had a massage or applied heat? Does lying in different positions at night increase or decrease morning stiffness?

After discussing all these things in depth, you may take a decision going forward together.

Relieving Joint Pain

Your doctor may want to carry out some tests to determine whether disease is present, and may prescribe medication if this is so. If your pain is injury-related, physiotherapy and joint rehabilitation may be the road to follow instead.

You should ask all the questions that you are entitled to, and then continue to probe until completely satisfied. Following that, you should place yourself in the caring hands of those appointed to relieve your joint pain, for this is what they choose to do, with concern for you.