Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Origins of Joint Pain and the Many Treatments Available

By Steven Griggs

Joint pain can be a minor discomfort or a major disabling pain. Knowing the cause is the first element of finding a way to treat it. There are many different causes of joint pain injury, over use, infection, and arthritis, are just a few of the possible causes.

Joint pain is quite common among adults particularly in people that are in their mid 40s and over. There are a lot of people that have creaking in their knees or hips and other joints. This may not necessarily be a result of growing older, but it could be arthritis or another cause. The best known treatment for joint pain is exercise, believe it or not. It helps to limber the joints and keep them flexible. Medications like ibuprophen or aspirin are also often prescribed.

If you have had the joint pain for more than a week, or it is accompanied by a fever, you need to consult your physician. Tests may include taking blood samples, x-rays, or ultrasounds among other things. Once the cause is found a treatment plan will be implemented by your doctor.

Most treatments will include something to reduce your pain. Antibiotic therapy will be included if you have an infection, physical therapy may also be a part of your treatment plan, as well as exercise to keep your joint limber. There are other medications that might be used as well depending on the cause of your pain.

Arthritis is also a major cause of joint pain, especially in people older than 45. Arthritis can be caused by several things including overuse of the joint, sports injuries, and deterioration of the joints due to aging. There are treatments that can help or turn around the damage and pain that have been caused. Your doctor will prescribe your treatment plan. Some things you can expect might include physical therapy, pain medication, surgery, or even total loss of use in that joint (this is rare).

If an infection is present then you will probably be put on antibiotics, and other medications to treat this. You will also be given pain medications to help you with the pain until the infection subsides. If it is due to a disease, the disease will be treated with medications and you will be given something to help with the pain as well. If you have an injury, that will be treated and physical therapy will also possibly be ordered to help you to gain back your range of motion.

No matter the cause of you pain or how you decide to treat it, getting treatment is the most important thing you can do to help your pain, and stop loss of mobility. - 16650

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