Are your joints starting to ache? Are your knees inflamed, red, and swollen? Statistics show that up to 85% of the adult population periodically experiences joint aches and pain. Find out why this happens and how to treat it in our article.
What Is a Joint?
The human body has approximately 400 joints—points where different bones connect. Some of them are immovable (such as those between the flat bones of the skull), while others allow for a wide and complex range of motion.
Human joints are complex structures consisting of various components:
- Cartilage. This is an extremely smooth structure covering the surfaces of the ends of the joint bones. Cartilage improves the gliding motion of the joint and acts as a shock absorber.
- Connective (supportive) tissue. It performs structural, protective, and trophic functions.
- Synovial membrane. Lines the interior of the joint and, in particular, the fibrous layer of the joint capsule. It performs two functions: it secretes synovial fluid and removes any foreign bodies that have entered the joint. The synovial membrane can also be found around certain tendons, allowing them to glide more smoothly during movement.
- Ligaments and the joint capsule. Relatively elastic “bands” that stabilize two bones, preventing them from moving apart.
- Bones. The supporting tissue of our body, which is used to attach muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Muscles. They act as both ligaments and motors, allowing the joint to move. They are attached to bones via tendons.
Symptoms of Joint Pain
Joint pain (arthralgia) is not a disease, but a symptom. It often occurs during normal bodily functions: after strenuous physical activity, during pregnancy, and as “growing pains” in children and adolescents. However, joint pain can also indicate a variety of medical conditions.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis)
One of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system. According to statistics, one in ten people worldwide suffers from osteoarthritis. The pain is aching and particularly noticeable in the morning upon waking. Pain is felt in all joints at once: the hips, knees, ankles, and the small joints of the fingers.
At first, the pain is mild but intensifies over time. A crunching sensation and swelling develop. The pain is noticeably worse after physical activity and subsides after sleep. The joints become stiff upon waking or after a period of inactivity. The pain lessens with movement as the joints warm up, but worsens after strenuous activity, such as prolonged gardening.
Gout
Wandering pain, in which different joints may bother the patient throughout the day. It is characterized by flare-ups at night during sleep or in the morning. Joint pain lasts from several days to several weeks. The skin around the painful area becomes red, mobility of the affected limbs is impaired, nodules (tophi) appear in the joint areas, and deformity gradually develops.
Arthritis
If the joints periodically become stiff at night, the pain persists throughout the day, and redness and swelling are present, the pain may have an inflammatory, “arthritis-like” origin. Lesions are observed in the small joints of the hands and feet; subsequently, all joints may become painful at once: the ankle, knee, hip, wrist, and elbow joints. With arthritis, the shape of the joints and muscle tissues changes, and aching pain develops.
Reactive arthritis resembles gout in its symptoms. Sometimes, these two conditions can only be distinguished by blood test results: C-reactive protein is detected in reactive arthritis, while elevated uric acid levels are found in gout. Attacks alternate with periods of remission; changes in the joints are not permanent and may disappear completely between attacks.
Bacterial arthritis is characterized by sudden, severe pain and swelling in the affected area. It may be accompanied by a fever and rapid fatigue.
Rheumatoid arthritis often develops following a sore throat or the flu and is typically characterized by damage to large joints located symmetrically (for example, both wrists or knees). Distinctive features include a sudden rise in temperature, swelling, and increased pain on palpation.
Bursitis or tendinitis
Transient pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints (shoulder, elbow, hip, or knee), particularly noticeable when extending the joints. It may sometimes occur in structures outside the joint, such as a ligament, tendon, or muscle. The pain is accompanied by stiffness or a reduced range of motion in the joint—with or without pain—and muscle weakness.
Pain Due to Injury
Up to 20% of sports injuries are accompanied by joint pain. Depending on the injury, this may be a localized, shooting pain of varying intensity, with or without joint swelling. Pain is felt in different areas at the slightest movement of the affected joint. Radiating joint pain may persist for a long time after the injury. Damage to articular cartilage and other tissues can trigger the development of a degenerative process—post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Flat feet
In this condition, both the articular cartilage and the ligaments are affected. The pain in the feet is a pulling sensation and quite severe.
Possible causes of joint pain
Joint pain can occur at any age and have many causes:
Traumatic. A fall, accident, blow, or excessive strain can damage the joints and their various components.
Mechanical. Wear and tear on certain tissues, such as cartilage in the case of osteoarthritis. This is common in older adults, those who are overweight, athletes who put intense strain on their joints, and in postmenopausal women. After age 50, cartilage degradation or wear is one of the main causes of pain in the joints, legs (especially the knees), as well as in the hip joints, arms, etc.
Inflammatory. Some chronic inflammatory diseases can affect the spine, as well as the arms and legs (the so-called peripheral joints). The sites of inflammation may include several areas of the joint, such as the tendons (tendinitis), the “bursa” (bursitis), or the entire joint: this occurs in cases of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Autoimmune Process. A malfunction of the immune system can cause damage to the body’s joints. This is how rheumatoid arthritis develops, for example. The causes of an autoimmune attack on the joints have not yet been established. The leading theory is a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Crystal deposits. Uric acid is present in human blood. An unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, and alcohol abuse can cause its concentration to rise above 400 μmol/L, leading to the formation of sodium urate crystals that deposit in the joints of the limbs. This condition is called gout. When calcium pyrophosphate is deposited in the joints, a condition similar to gout—pseudogout—develops. Regardless of the type, the crystals cause chronic joint inflammation, and if left untreated, gradual deformation of the hands and feet occurs.
Infectious. Certain viruses or bacteria can affect the joints and cause severe or persistent pain (for example, the influenza virus). Less common causes of acute arthritis affecting multiple joints include Lyme disease, gonorrhea, streptococcal bacterial infections, and reactive arthritis, which develops as a result of an infection of the digestive or urinary tract.
Who is particularly prone to joint pain?
The human body is a mobile and flexible “machine” that usually remains well “lubricated” until around the age of 50. From this age onward, the joints suffer from the effects of aging, particularly the breakdown of cartilage and the stiffening of certain tissues.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of polyarticular pain in older adults. This is due to mechanical wear and tear of the cartilage. According to statistics, osteoarthritis is diagnosed in 2% of people under 45, in 30% of people aged 45–64, and in 65–85% of people over 65. Athletes are at risk due to high physical stress on the joints and the risk of injury.
It has been established that being overweight is also a factor contributing to the rapid degeneration of joint cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis.
Women often experience joint pain after menopause due to the symptoms of menopausal syndrome. During this time, levels of female sex hormones (estrogens) decrease, which impairs calcium absorption, leads to a decrease in bone mineral density, bone resorption, and joint pain.
Septic arthritis usually occurs in a weakened body. It can occur when immunity is compromised, in older adults, or in patients with diabetes or severe systemic diseases. Infections of the intestines or urinary tract caused by chlamydia or salmonella can also trigger joint inflammation.
90% of gout cases are related to a person’s lifestyle. Consuming unhealthy foods (fatty, salty, and fast food), a sedentary lifestyle, long-term use of diuretics, and alcohol abuse are possible causes of this disease. Those at risk typically include men, the elderly, alcoholics, and patients with chronic kidney disease.
Care and Treatment
Treatment for joint pain depends on its underlying causes. A person with an autoimmune disease (such as systemic lupus erythematosus) may require medication that suppresses the immune system, while a patient with a gonococcal infection in a joint will need antibiotics. Inflammation is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Pain without inflammation is relieved with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For mild joint pain, herbal remedies can be used, as well as dietary supplements containing vitamins and trace elements that the body lacks. This helps eliminate inflammatory processes, reduce pain, and improve joint mobility.
Treatments for osteoarthritis include hormonal injections into the joint, intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid, and cytokine therapy. Basic treatment for osteoarthritis includes taking dietary supplements containing hyaluronic acid, collagen, glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin, which can be taken over the long term because they have few side effects.
In addition to medication, orthopedic devices—orthoses—may be prescribed to immobilize a damaged or severely inflamed joint. If none of the above methods are effective, surgical intervention—arthroscopy or joint replacement—may be recommended.
What can be done to relieve joint pain?
Whatever the cause of joint pain, it requires a medical consultation. However, it is possible and necessary to relieve the pain before a diagnosis is made.
Methods for quickly relieving joint pain at home:
- Taking pain relievers. You can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Apply dry heat. A heating pad reduces pain by relieving muscle spasms around the joints (for example, after an injury). Heat should be applied for at least 15 minutes to ensure deep penetration.
- Apply cold. Ice relieves pain caused by joint inflammation. It should be placed in a plastic bag, wrapped in a towel, and held against the painful area for 15 minutes.
- Creams or gels containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These can be applied under a bandage to relieve severe pain.
- For minor injuries. Rest the joint, elevate the affected limb, and apply ice and, if necessary, compression (a bandage). The affected area should be cooled as soon as possible with an ice pack, then the process should be repeated for 20–30 minutes several times a day. This is usually sufficient to resolve the injury.
- Physical therapy sessions. These can be used once the acute pain and inflammation have subsided. They will help restore or maintain range of motion and strengthen the surrounding muscles.
Tips for joint pain caused by osteoarthritis:
- Do not get out of bed abruptly, especially in the morning
- Try to lose excess weight
- Wear shoes that provide good support for your feet
- Use a cane to relieve joint pain
- Use chairs for support when standing up
If you have gout, reduce your intake of meat and meat products, avoid alcohol, and drink more water.
It is important for people with chronic arthritis to remain physically active to prevent permanent joint stiffness and muscle atrophy.
For athletes, osteoarthritis prevention relies on proper warm-ups, good hydration, and moderation in the frequency and intensity of workouts.
During menopause, women should take 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D daily and eat foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, sodium, and protein.
To prevent morning pain, there are several simple measures you can take:
- Exercise. Regular physical activity is the best preventive measure against this pain. By staying active, you maintain the health of your musculoskeletal system and improve blood circulation.
- Practice stretching. Before getting out of bed, do a few exercises while lying down. Stretch your arms above your head, straighten your legs, and point your toes. These exercises should be performed gently, without sudden movements or pain. Short, repeated stretches are better than one long stretch. In practice, each muscle or muscle group should be stretched for 12 to 15 seconds (4–5 full breaths), for 4–6 sets, alternating between the left and right sides. Regular stretching helps maintain muscle elasticity, strengthens the areas where muscles and tendons connect, and improves overall flexibility and range of motion.
- Choose the right pillow. The angle at which your head tilts toward your chest may be too steep, straining your muscles and joints and causing neck pain. Choose a thin pillow or bolster that supports both your neck and head.
- Replace your mattress. Opt for orthopedic mattresses, as they provide better support.
When should you see a doctor?
A medical consultation is warranted if:
- your joints have suddenly become painful and are accompanied by fever, chills, increased fatigue, skin redness, or muscle aches;
- the painful joint is red, warm, or swollen;
- joint pain limits mobility or causes prolonged morning stiffness;
- joint pain resulted from an accident or injury;
- joint pain recurs frequently;
- despite self-treatment, there is no improvement;
- the affected joints have already been diagnosed, and self-treatment is necessary in accordance with a doctor’s advice.
When evaluating joint pain, the doctor first attempts to determine whether it is caused by a joint disease or a serious systemic condition. A systemic disease may require immediate, specific treatment. In addition to a medical history and a thorough physical examination, additional tests (X-rays, blood tests, or joint fluid analysis) may be necessary, sometimes supplemented by a consultation with a rheumatologist.
Scientific sources:
Gout: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors — NIAMS/NIH
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors — NIAMS/NIH
Sports Injuries: Types, Symptoms, and Risk Factors — NIAMS/NIH
Is Exercise an Effective Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis? — Cochrane
Physical Activity and Arthritis — CDC
