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

Decision Guide for Joint Pain
Symptoms/Signs	Action
Muscle or joint aches after exertion	Use self-care
Joint pain without fever or swelling	Use self-care
Joint pain with fever and sudden, significant swelling or severe pain	See provider
Sudden pain with no apparent cause	Call provider's office
Pain for three or more days that affects your activities	See provider
Pain with fatigue, insomnia or weight loss	See provider