It will be no surprise that as our biological age increases, our bones age too. And while it is normal to suffer from slight discomfort and stiffness as a result of wear and tear, extreme pain, or pain that impacts your quality of life is not normal and should be investigated early to help avoid further damage, provide pain relief, and treatment. Here, we take a look at what is causing pain in your joints, and whether it is anything to worry about. Read on as we deep-dive to find answers.
Why do my joints hurt?: Common causes
Just like anything else in this world, all aspects of our bodies have a tendency to deteriorate with time. When it comes to your joints, this can result in anything from mild discomfort to severe pain.
If you suffer from pain in your joints, and it’s not from an injury, there is a chance that it could be due to a form of arthritis. Arthritis comes in many forms, and people from all age groups can suffer from this condition. The most common kind of arthritis that is diagnosed by rheumatologists is osteoarthritis. Simply put, osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that occurs as a result of wear and tear to joints, and the cartilage between them. According to research, one in every five adults in the UK over the age of 45, suffer from osteoarthritis in the knee. This number is considerable, and should be cause for concern when we consider the ever-growing ageing population.
And it’s not just knees that are affected – One in every nine adults over 45 suffer from osteoarthritis of the hip. The joints most commonly affected by this condition are knees, hips, and lower back – all of which are weight bearing joints.
Another prevalent form of this condition is rheumatoid arthritis. However, rather than being the result of wear and tear, it’s caused by an autoimmune condition. This is when the immune system attacks the lining around the joints called the synovium. While it has similar symptoms to other types of arthritis – such as swelling, pain and stiffness in joints, there are times when the symptoms may get worse. These instances are known as flare-ups. Many doctors may find it tough to diagnose this condition due to its similarities with other types of arthritis, but an experienced rheumatologist will be able to accurately diagnose you, though you may require you to undergo blood tests and X-ray scans to confirm. Pain is often reflected in both sides of the body and early diagnosis is really important as it is a degenerative disease, meaning, the affected joint will continue to deteriorate without the appropriate intervention.
Gout is another reasonably common form of arthritis, which occurs due to the formation of urate crystals in the joint where the bones meet. This happens because of excess uric acid in the blood, and sometimes due to improper functioning of the kidneys. Similar to other types of arthritis, gout patients can experience a lot of pain, swelling, and redness in the affected joint, thanks to inflammation. Thankfully, cases of gout diagnosis have decreased by up to 23% in recent years, thanks to the efforts of the UK’s healthcare system.
Even if you don’t think it’s a form of arthritis, if you suffer from joint pain – no matter your age – it is vital to seek advice from a rheumatologist. Based in the Greater London area? You’re ideally placed to access some of the finest healthcare professionals in the world. Try contacting this rheumatologist in London to benefit from their expert guidance.
Is your joint pain treatable?: Effective treatment options
It’s time to answer the big question: How can you treat joint pain effectively? Thankfully, many causes of joint pain are fully treatable. However, conditions like osteoarthritis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis need careful management to prevent pain and worsening.
A rheumatologist will likely suggest you undergo blood tests and, if they suspect the cause is a form of arthritis, they may also recommend an X-ray or MRI to allow them to confirm their suspicions. Based on your results, your rheumatologist should be able to accurately diagnose you and prepare a personalised treatment plan to help alleviate pain, and target the underlying condition.
Medications
One of the most common treatment options available to us are medications. Painkillers like paracetamol, and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like ibuprofen, are often the first line of defence for treatment of joint pain. These can be in the form of topical creams, pain relieving gels, and even corticosteroids (which are injected directly in the joint or administered orally).
For people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, your rheumatologist may prescribe DMARDs (Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) to help moderate the immune system and cut off the inflammation at the source.
Physical therapy
But medications are not the only way to treat joint pain. Good quality physical therapy can provide significant relief from pain. Your physiotherapist will also suggest exercises that you can continue at home that will be beneficial for pain reduction.
Lifestyle changes
Another important factor in the effective treatment of joint pain is adaptations to your lifestyle. While medication and physiotherapy are beneficial, making changes to make life easier for yourself is often an underutilised tool, and every little helps! Consider weight, regulating diet, and maximising quality of sleep to stand you in good stead. If you have osteoarthritis, your rheumatologist may suggest cutting down on any high impact sports such as badminton and running, and adding more walking and low impact exercises into your routine.
Making your health and wellbeing a priority
By now you should have a fair idea of how joint pains originate in the first place, some of the most common types of joint pain, and how it can be treated effectively. If you suffer from any joint pain, it’s important to get checked out as soon as you can to ensure you are on the correct path to recovery – after all, the sooner you can recover, the sooner you can get back to living your life!