Managing Joint Pain


Joint pain can be a result of an injury or one of many types of arthritis. While the treatment for different causes of joint pain can be different, there are some general guidelines for managing symptoms of joint pain.

For mild to moderate joint pain and stiffness, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage day-to-day symptoms. NSAIDs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen are available over the counter. These medications can treat pain and improve symptoms of swelling and stiffness caused by arthritis or joint injuries. However, if occasional NSAID use is not enough to control the pain, talk to your doctor. Long-term use of high doses of NSAIDs can put you at risk for certain dangerous side effects, such as internal bleeding.

At home, you can treat joint injuries and inflamed joints affected by arthritis by elevating the affected area, if possible, to reduce swelling and using ice packs. Ice packs can be used for about 15 minutes every few hours to keep the swelling down. You may also want to avoid intense activity that uses the affected joints.

Some types of injuries and arthritis may need more medical attention, depending on the cause and severity of your joint pain and immobility. Some arthritic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, may need to be treated with medications that control the systemic effects of the disease. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune reaction, and this response can be controlled by drugs, so that further joint damage is prevented.

Severe injuries to ligaments and tendons surrounding a joint may need to be treated with surgery, and may take a long time to heal. If joint inflammation is severe, one non-surgical option for managing pain is injections of corticosteroids into the affected joint capsule. Corticosteroid treatments reduce joint inflammation, and some people find a significant decrease in pain after these treatments, although it is usually temporary. Severely damaged joints, regardless of the type of arthritis that is causing the damage, may need to be repaired surgically or replaced in order to restore mobility of the joint.

Another important aspect of managing joint pain, regardless of whether the cause of the pain is an injury or an arthritic process, is physical therapy. Physical therapy can improve the flexibility and strength of a damaged joint, and properly controlled, monitored exercise can help decrease joint pain.

Thanks to Pain.com for this interesting information. Visit Non-Surgical Orthopaedics, P.C. for more information or call us at 770-421-1420.

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