It’s not uncommon to experience occasional joint pain after intense exercise or a physically demanding day. However, if you find yourself suffering from frequent or worsening discomfort in your joints, it’s important to understand where this pain originates so you can seek proper treatment from the best orthopedic doctor in Delhi. Joint pain can result from injury, strain, or an underlying condition that should be addressed.
Understanding Common Causes of Joint Pain
Joint pain affects people of all ages for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common culprits of joint discomfort:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition and a leading source of joint pain, particularly in older adults. It occurs over time as cartilage cushioning the joints wears down from overuse or injury, resulting in stiffness, swelling, and pain. Osteoarthritis often first appears in the knees, hands, hips, or spine. Obesity and joint strain can cause it to develop at younger ages.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unlike osteoarthritis which results from wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder causing the body’s immune system to attack healthy joint tissue. The resulting inflammation is what leads to painful swelling in the wrists, fingers, knees, and feet. RA can occur at any age and leads to joint erosion over time.
Bursitis
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs located around joints to provide cushioning between bone and tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscles. When these sacs become irritated and inflamed, it’s called bursitis and leads to tenderness and pain around the joints – most often shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. It develops from frequent strain, overuse, or injury (like falling directly on a joint).
Sprains & Strains
Ligaments are bands of tissue connecting bones together at joints. Tendons attach muscle to bone. If these tissues become overstretched or tear due to injury or overuse, it results in acute pain and joint instability. Sprained ankles and wrists are very common examples. Muscle strains around major joints also manifest as joint pain.
Injuries & Fractures
Traumatic blows or falls that impact joints can lead to injuries like fractures, dislocations, cartilage tears, etc. These cause both acute pain at the time of injury as well as lingering discomfort during the healing process. Hand, knee, shoulder, and elbow fractures are some of the most common joint injury culprits.
Other Arthritic Conditions
Besides osteo and rheumatoid, other forms of inflammatory arthritis like gout, psoriatic arthritis, and septic arthritis also cause joint damage over time, leading to episodic pain. Joint pain can also result from infection, hematologic disorders, and bone cancer in some cases.
Seeking a Diagnosis
If you don’t know the origin of your joint discomfort, consulting an orthopedic doctor at Miot Hospital Chennai is important for obtaining both a diagnosis and a customized treatment plan to manage your condition or pain. Some testing that may occur includes:
- Physical examination of posture/gait/range of motion
- Imaging tests like X-rays, MRI
- Blood tests checking for inflammation/infection/arthritis
Conclusion
There are many diverse reasons – from strain to arthritis – why joint pain may start interfering with your movement and quality of life. Understanding the most likely culprits based on your age, health history and onset of symptoms can help guide you and your doctor toward finding relief.
Seeking prompt medical care when facing unexplained or worsening joint discomfort provides the greatest chance of diagnosis, treatment, and restoration of comfortable mobility.
