Oh, My Aching Joints

Life is all about motion and movement, and that means healthy joints. When you start to feel aches in your joints, the temptation to sit still and rest becomes irresistible, yet keeping still is perhaps the worst way to deal with these aches and pains. 

Joint aches and pains usually have a partner symptom in the form of stiffness. Not only does it hurt to move, but it’s also harder to do. So, what’s the answer for joint aches? Much depends on the specifics of your condition, but you might be surprised to know the best thing you can do for your joints is to take a walk. 

At Medical Associates of North Texas, our team wants to make it easy for you to get around. We can help with an exam and diagnosis for the causes of your pain so that you can get the treatments that work. Ask us about joint injections, which may offer long-term relief for your aching joints. 

Causes of joint pain

Some of your joints are quite complex, yet they offer strength and flexibility and support a wide range of motion, from running and jumping to intricate precision you might need for work tasks or hobbies. Anything your body can accomplish depends on your joints. 

Reasons for pain are similarly varied and complex. It’s no surprise there are over 100 types of arthritis, an umbrella term that refers to any ailment that causes joint aches and pains as a primary symptom, according to the Arthritis Foundation. However, not all joint issues are classed as arthritis. Here are some of the most common causes: 

• Arthritic conditions, including osteoarthritis (the most common), rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus
• Bursitis
• Viral infections
• Osteomyelitis, or bone infection
• Septic arthritis, or joint infection
• Tendinitis
• Strains and sprains (muscles and ligaments)

As well as the aches and pain you feel, you may notice symptoms like swelling, redness, and warmth, along with losses to your usual range of mobility. 

Treating joint pain

Osteoarthritis is perhaps the most common reason for joint aches, and one of the best ways to improve both mobility and pain is moderate, low-impact activities like walking, biking, and swimming. These motions gently work the joints associated with movement, including the ankles, knees, and hips, as well as boosting circulation and blood oxygenation. 

As long as you can tolerate an activity without increasing the pain load, there’s a good chance that you’re lowering the impact of your condition. Talk to your doctor at Medical Associates of North Texas about the benefits of keeping active with your joint condition. 

We can also help you when you need more than a walk around the block. Pain medications, both over-the-counter and prescription versions, can help you tolerate increased activity. When you need next-level care, we offer joint injections in several forms. 

For moderate aches and pains associated with some forms of arthritis, corticosteroid injections, administered three or four times a year, provide long-term relief from the inflammation that often sits at the heart of joint aches and pains. 

Find out more about your joint condition and its treatment options with a visit to Medical Associates of North Texas. You can book a consultation online or call our office directly to arrange your visit. Joint pain does wait for you, so contact us today.