Joint Pain Information

Joint Pain – A to Z Information about Joint Pain

Dr Vasudeva Juvvadi – A joint pain specialist in Hyderabad, is currently working as a joint replacement surgeon in the Department of Joint Replacement Surgery at Citizens Hospitals, Hyderabad.

If you are looking for Joint pain treatment in Hyderabad and a joint pain specialist in Hyderabad, Dr Vasudeva recommends you read the following information completely. This is the most comprehensive information on joint pain you have ever read. Being one of the best joint pain doctors in Hyderabad and a well-renowned joint replacement surgeon in Hyderabad, Dr Vasudeva explains every minute detail of your joint pain including the causes, symptoms, types of joint pain, joint pain medicine, joint pain caused by nerves, joint pain caused due to uric acid, joint pain in fingers, Joint pain in knees, Joint pain in hands, Joint pain in legs, Joint pain in children, Joint pain injection use and surgical intervention for relieving joint pain.

He will also explain how Lupus joint pain differs from arthritis and joint pain due to fever. Finally, he talks about the prevention of joint pain and treatment.

Joint pain

Joint pain reason / Joint pain causes

Joint pain is very common. Knee pain, shoulder pain and hip pain are common joint pain conditions. The damage to the joint due to disease or injury can cause joint pain and interfere with movement. Injuries, strains, sprains, gout, arthritis, bursitis, inflammation, damage caused to the nerves of the joint, death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow (Avascular necrosis), lupus, a broken bone, bone infection (Osteomyelitis), Osteoarthritis (Disease-causing the breakdown of joints), Rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, Pseudogout, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, dislocation, bone cancer, ankylosing spondylitis, Hypothyroidism, and septic arthritis, cause joint pain. Reactive arthritis, rickets and juvenile arthritis in children can also cause joint pain.

Joint pain and fever

 A majority of people who suffer from fever and joint pain have a viral fever. However, viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic diseases can also cause varying degrees of multiple joint pains and fever. Chikungunya a viral disease is associated with fever and severe joint pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is also associated with joint pain and low-grade fever. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the common symptoms of arthritis. If these symptoms manifest following a viral infection, then it is called viral arthritis. Retroviruses, rubella, hepatitis A, B and C, Parvovirus B19 in children, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses cause viral arthritis.

Joint pain causes fever

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint pain is often associated with low-grade fever. RA is associated with substantial damage to the joint considerable pain and reduced mobility. The inflammatory substances released to tackle this condition in the joints can cause fever. Infectious arthritis too can cause joint pain and fever.

Joint pain in children

According to several research studies around 30% of children experience musculoskeletal pain due to growing pain. It is not usually related to growth spurts as the name suggest. The pain may be due to restless leg syndrome, fatigue, low pain tolerance and even vitamin D deficiency as well. The other possible causes of joint pain in children could be more serious – leukaemia, lupus, Lyme disease or juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Growing pain is common in children – which will vanish as the child grows. However, if the pain persists, becomes unusual or severe and is associated with fever, weight loss, swollen red or tender joints, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue, they should see a joint pain specialist in Hyderabad.

All My Joints Hurt: Types of Joint Pain

Joint pain in Fingers: dislocated finger, torn muscle, muscle sprain, stretched or torn tendon or muscle, a fracture or broken bone can cause joint pain in fingers. Tendonitis (inflamed tendon) and tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath) can also cause swelling, joint pain and stiffness. The treatment modalities to relieve this type of pain include corticosteroid injections, physical therapy and surgery. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus also cause finger joint stiffness and pain.

Joint pain in hand fingers: Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to several musculoskeletal complications – such as diabetic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s contracture.

Joint pain in knees: Injury, ruptured or torn ligaments, cartilage and other conditions such as gout, infections, osteoarthritis, viral arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and infectious arthritis can cause knee pain. Fractures, torn meniscus, knee bursitis, Patellar tendinitis, ACL injury, dislocated knee cap, iliotibial (IT) band syndrome and loose body can cause knee pain.

Joint pain in hands: Hand muscles and joints are vulnerable to injuries – owing to which they cause joint pain in the hands. The pain in the hands can originate from nerves, tendons, connective tissues, joints and bones. Joint pain in the hands can also be due to sprains and fractures, repetitive motion injuries, nerve damage and inflammation. The most common cause of joint pain in the hands is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The other causes of joint pain include ganglion cysts, traumatic injury, stenosing tenosynovitis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, peripheral neuropathy, lupus, Gout, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and arthritis.

Joint pain in legs: Leg pain in the joints can be due to injuries in the soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones and joints. Sometimes, the joint pain can also be due to problems in the spine. However, some common causes of joint pain in legs are broken leg, ACL injury, bursitis, Sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, septic arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Pseudogout, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease (PAD), Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Patellar tendinitis, Paget’s disease of the bone, Osteomyelitis, osteoarthritis, Chronic exertional compartment syndrome, Achilles’ tendon rupture, and Achilles’ tendinitis – and many such conditions. You should see a good orthopaedic doctor if there is a red, tender, swollen joint with a warm touch and the pain is persisting for more than three to four days and if you have a fever.

Joint pain causes and treatment

Joint pain caused by nerves: It is also known as neuropathic or nerve pain. This type of pain can feel more like shooting, stabbing or burning pain. With this type of nerve pain, there is also a tingling sensation or numbness. In other words, damage to nerves can cause lightning strike type of electric pain. Nerve pain in most cases can be attributed to diabetes, viral infections, and neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. If it is an orthopaedic issue then the pain could be due to pinched nerves by ligaments, bones or tissues. For example, pain due to herniated disc, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. This type of pain (neuropathic pain), does not respond to drugs – such as NSAIDs.

Joint pain causes uric acid: Gout is arthritis-related to excess uric acid. Purines break down and form uric acid in the blood which in turn forms urate crystals. High levels of crystals of urate accumulate in joints causing severe pain and inflammation. Excess red meat, shellfish, beer and alcohol consumption increase the risk of excess uric acid formation in the blood. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, and heart and kidney diseases increase the risk of high levels of uric acid in the blood.

Joint pain in corona (COVID-19)

Joint pain symptoms of corona: COVID-19 inflammation can attack joints as well causing swelling, muscle damage and fluid accumulation in the joints. Muscle pain or body pain occurs in more than 15 to 20% of the cases involving these areas – Hip, knee, shoulder and neck. The complications associated with muscles and joints in COVID-19 may include muscle inflammation, abnormalities in soft tissues, a flare-up of the joint diseases, and nerve dysfunction causing weakness and numbness. There could be a possibility of viral arthritis, and reactive arthritis in COVID-19 infections.

Muscle and Joint pain with Fatigue – Fibromyalgia can cause your entire body and muscles to feel achy, sensitive, exhausted and fatigue. Though the cause for this condition is unknown, infections, surgery or physical trauma can cause this condition. The other symptoms may include morning stiffness, sensitivity to light or sound, and tingling sensation in the hands and feet. Another condition that causes muscle and joint pain throughout the body with fatigue is chronic fatigue syndrome. Autoimmune conditions – such as rheumatoid arthritis or SLE can cause joint inflammation, muscle pain and fatigue often with low-grade fever.

Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks tissues and cells throughout the body, especially in the blood vessels, and joints and causes inflammation. The symptoms may include swelling or redness around the joints, fever, rash, exhaustion, fatigue, body and muscle pain and sensitivity to light.

Joint pain relief (Joint pain treatment tablets)

Joint pain medicine: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen can provide relief from pain.

Joint pain tablets: Aspirin, Aleve, Advil, and naproxen tablets are commercially available. These are effective against moderate to severe pain with inflammation. However, excessive and unwarranted use of NSAIDs can cause undesirable effects – for instance, gastrointestinal bleeding. Similarly, acetaminophen is effective against mild pain, but high doses can cause liver damage. Cox-2 inhibitors are also very effective against joint pain – but their use has been associated with an increased risk of brain stroke, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. Opioid medications, antidepressants and muscle relaxants are very effective against chronic pain. However, doctors prescribe these medicines with caution.

Arthritic Joint Pain medicine: Some topical creams contain Capsaicin (a compound found in chilli peppers). It relieves arthritic joint pain by blocking substance P that transmits pain signals and triggers the release of endorphins – pain-blocking chemicals. Some arthritis creams contain the active ingredient methyl salicylate – which also helps in relieving pain.

Joint pain supplements: Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have been found to be effective against joint pain and improve cartilage and bone function. Cartilages help cushion and protect the bones and joints and improve movements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the components of normal cartilage. The supplements containing these substances are available in tablet, liquid or powder forms. They are relatively safe without any significant side effects.

Joint Pain vitamins: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with weak bones, muscles and joints. Therefore, experts recommend adequate levels of vitamin D in the blood to prevent bone loss and the onset of degenerative conditions such as arthritis. Vitamin D strengthens bones and muscles and has anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin D may also improve mood and symptoms of depression – which indirectly helps in relieving pain.

Joint Pain exercise: Obese individuals are prone to joint pain, inflammation and stiffness owing to their excess body weight. They can control weight by low-impact exercises, diet and losing weight. It is better to perform the exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist – which will help in strengthening the muscles around the joint and improve movement. In addition to exercise, the physiotherapist may use heat or cold therapy and electrical nerve stimulation. Swimming and bicycling are the best form of low-impact exercises for relieving joint pain.

Joint Pain Treatment (Joint pain treatment medicine)

Joint pain injection: Some doctors give a steroid injection with a local anaesthetic to mask the pain. They give this injection directly into the joint every three to four months. Though they prescribe this treatment for patients with tendonitis and arthritis, overuse of steroids can damage the joint further. Though the method is effective, it offers only temporary relief.

Prolotherapy: In this method of treatment doctors give a series of injections containing sugar (dextrose) or saline solution into the tendons, ligaments or joints to stimulate the local healing of injured joints. They give nearly about 15 to 20 injections for up to 3 to 4 months.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: Platelet in the blood contains growth factors that help in tissue repair and the formation of new cells. Therefore, A person’s own blood is used to make platelet-rich plasma and then it is injected into the painful joint. The proteins in the platelets have immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects – which are helpful in relieving pain. Those who are planning to have PRP therapy, should talk to their doctor and take his or her advice.

Bottom Line

You can try some measures such as using over-the-counter pain relief medicines for some time to relieve joint pain, but never overdo it as the pain can become worse or excessive use of medicines can make your case worse. No matter what measures you try and the treatment your family physician recommends, you must get the appropriate medical help right away by approaching any good joint pain specialist in Hyderabad. Your problem could be due to any of the several causes of joint pain. Therefore, a precise and proper diagnosis of the underlying cause is very important for effective and prompt treatment of joint pain.

If you don’t get the treatment in time, your joint can deteriorate progressively over a period of time or may deform completely – making the condition worse.

Dr Vasudeva Juvvadi – is currently working as a joint replacement surgeon in Hyderabad at Citizens Hospitals, Serilingampally. He is a renowned Joint Pain Specialist & Joint Replacement Surgeon in Hyderabad.