Joint pain

Overview

Joint pain is a symptom of many infectious, degenerative and general diseases. It occurs in arthrosis (more commonly known as osteoarthritis) and other rheumatic diseases. The pain is sometimes accompanied by swelling and redness. A doctor should be consulted for these symptoms as well as for misalignment, severe pain or a limited range of movement in the affected joint.

Symptoms

Main symptom

• Pain at, in and around the joint

Possible symptoms

• Swelling
• Redness, overheating
• Restricted movement
• Sometimes general symptoms (e.g. fatigue)

Causes and treatment

Causes

There are many possible causes which have to be investigated by a doctor, such as

• Injury, accident
  • Contusion
  • Dislocation
  • Meniscus injury
• Improper load distribution, overload
• Impingement
• Rheumatic diseases (umbrella term)
  • Arthrosis (wear and tear)
  • Acute and chronic joint inflammation (arthritis)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Gout

General diseases with possible joint pain

• Psoriasis
• Chronic bowel diseases
• Infectious diseases such as flu, childhood diseases, intestinal infection (enteritis), hepatitis, HIV infection, borreliosis, gonorrhoea

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Physical examination
• Blood test
• Ultrasound
• X-ray
• Arthroscopy
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• CT scan (computed tomography)

Possible therapies

• Depending on the diagnosis

What can I do myself?

• Pursue a healthy and balanced lifestyle
  • Diet
  • Normal weight
  • Regular exercise/sport, but extreme sports aren't recommended
  • Don’t smoke, use alcohol in moderation

When to see a doctor?

• Joint inflammation (red, swollen, overheated)
• Restricted movement
• Joint misalignment
• Severe or persistent pain
• Pain at night, while at rest
• Negative impact on daily life
• Strong feeling of being unwell, high fever

Further information

Rheumaliga Schweiz (Swiss League against Rheumatism)
www.rheumaliga.ch

Synonyms

joint pain, arthralgia, joint disorders, joint problems