What makes joint pain

However, it can also be a sign of an infection or potentially debilitating RA. Early detection and diagnosis can allow for effective treatment of the underlying cause of your discomfort. Treatments for arthritis include over-the-counter and prescription medications, but natural and lifestyle remedies also play a key role. Find out more…. Chronic knee pain is long-term pain in one or both knees. The cause of your knee pain can determine the exact signs and symptoms you may experience. We look at seven of the best capsaicin products you can buy online, in the store, or with a prescription.

Here's everything you need to know about cortisone shots, including how they work, how much they cost, and what conditions they're meant to treat. Learn about the potential causes of sudden pain without an injury, as well as treatments and when to see a doctor. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What to Know About Joint Pain. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.

What causes joint pain? What are the symptoms of joint pain? How is joint pain diagnosed? How is joint pain treated? What is the outlook for people with joint pain? Read this next. This is more likely to happen if you take anticoagulants , such as warfarin. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints, usually the hands, feet and wrists. Find out more about the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis affects up to 1 in 5 people with psoriasis. Like other types of arthritis, it means that 1 or more of your joints are inflamed and become swollen, stiff, painful and difficult to move. Widespread joint pain is sometimes a sign of a disease that affects almost all the organs of the body, such as:.

Page last reviewed: 04 April Next review due: 04 April Joint pain. Pain in just 1 joint Knee pain The knee joint is probably the most frequently damaged joint and is particularly vulnerable as it takes the full weight of your body.

Inflammation of the joint lining If you have injured the joint recently and it suddenly becomes painful again, the thin layer of tissue lining the joints and tendons may be inflamed, a condition called traumatic synovitis. It usually does not cause any redness or heat. Gout or pseudogout If the skin over the joint is hot and red, and the pain comes in repeated attacks, the cause is likely to be either gout or pseudogout. Both of these are types of arthritis. If a person experiences pain in the joints, known as arthralgia, it can be uncomfortable and affect their ability to partake in daily activities.

In this article, we discuss what joints are and some causes of joint pain, including their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

A joint is a point where bones make contact, connecting the skeletal system. Most joints are mobile, which allows the body to make different types of movement. There are three kinds of joint: fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial. Fibrous joints are usually immovable.

They include the cranium in the skull, the joints between the teeth and the sockets in the jaw, and the joints between the bones of the lower leg.

Cartilaginous joints are those where cartilage joins two bones. These joints are partially movable. One example is the joint between the right and left pubic bone. Synovial joints are the joints that allow limbs to move freely. These joints have a cavity in them that contains synovial fluid. This fluid allows the bones that connect the joint to move around with ease.

Some examples include the knee, elbow, hip, and shoulder. Many conditions and factors can cause a person to experience joint pain. If a person has pain in multiple joints, it is known as polyarthralgia.

Usually, joint pain is the result of injury, infection, illness, or inflammation. Injury is a common cause of joint pain. Injuries can result from the excessive use or effort of the joints or from an impact that causes a fracture , sprain, or strain. For example, a common knee injury is damage to the anterior cruciate ligament ACL. People who play certain sports, such as soccer, basketball, or football, are more at risk of injuring their ACL.

Some infections may result in joint pain. For example, the hepatitis C virus HCV can cause complications that result in joint pain. It is common for people with HCV to have related rheumatic diseases, which can cause problems, including pain in the joints. Some diseases can cause joint pain. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, and common symptoms include muscle and joint pain. In fact, joint pain is the first symptom for more than half of those who develop lupus.