The parts of your body where bones meet are called joints. Joints assist in the mobility and flexibility of your skeleton. Due to their function’s complex nature, joints are vulnerable to injury and damage that lead to joint pain.
Board-certified pain specialist William Yancey, MD, at Yancey Pain & Spine uses effective therapy and the latest technological advancements to treat joint pain.
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Joint Pain Q&A
What are the causes of joint pain?
The most common causes of joint pain include:
- Arthritis usually occurs in two forms; osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of cartilage or rheumatoid arthritis, which is more common in women than men and over time causes deformation and debilitation of joints.
- Tendinitis- also known as inflammation of the tendon
- Sprains
- Ligament tears
- Rickets
- Cancer
- Sarcoidosis
- Chondromalacia of the patella- It is the breaking down of the cartilage in the knee cap
- Bone/joint infection
- Bursitis- Which is the inflammation of the cushion pads around joints
- Lupus
- Overuse of a joint
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendon tears
What are the signs of joint pain?
The most common signs of joint pain include;
- Swelling of the area around the joint. The area may also become tender, red, or warm to the touch.
- Pain that persists for more than three days
- Fever with no other signs indicating the flu
How is joint pain diagnosed?
Your care provider will first perform a thorough physical examination and ask you questions about how you feel so they can deeply understand the root cause and severity of your joint pain.
Sometimes it is necessary to use a joint X-ray when trying to identify joint damage that has been caused by arthritis.
Certain autoimmune disorders will require additional blood tests to be performed while measuring the inflammation level will require a sedimentation rate test.
How is joint pain treated?
After diagnosing your condition, your care provider will develop an individualized treatment plan depending on the joint affected, the root cause, and your condition’s severity. Treatment usually involves a combination of treatment plans including the use of medication, physical therapy, and injections.
Dr. Yancey treats joint pain using dorsal root ganglion stimulation, which involves sending mild electrical impulses to the dorsal root ganglion using a neuromodulation device that reduces pain sensations by sending information from your peripheral nerves to your brain and spinal cord. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation can also be used to treat; pelvic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, phantom limb pain, inguinal hernia pain, and interstitial cystitis.
Home treatment options that help in managing joint pain include;
- Applying topical pain relievers that assist in reducing swelling, pain, and inflammation
- Being physically active and regularly exercising. Stretching before any exercise is essential as it enhances the range of motion in your joints.
- Managing your weight by following a healthy diet to reduce stress on the joints
- Warm baths and massages also help in managing joint pain
- Getting enough rest helps to relax your joints
It is time to put a stop to joint pain. To learn more about joint pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Yancey.