Chronic Joint Pain Treatment Near You in New Jersey
Most people experience occasional aches and pains in their joints. However, chronic joint pain refers to pain that is ongoing. It is a symptom of many different health conditions, from arthritis to acute injuries, and affects tens of millions of Americans. Though pervasive, however, it does not need to keep you from the activities you love.
At Bergen Medical Associates, we have a team of qualified practitioners who offer comprehensive chronic joint pain treatment for northern New Jersey patients, helping them find relief and a higher quality of life. Learn more about this condition and our treatments for chronic joint pain.
What Is Chronic Joint Pain?
Chronic joint pain is persistent discomfort in one or more joints that persists for more than three months. Skeletal joints are where two or more bones come together. The bones are cushioned by cartilage, a smooth tissue that absorbs shock and eliminates friction, while tough bands of tissue called ligaments hold them firmly in place. Tendons attach muscles to bone, enabling the joint to bend and flex.
The pain may arise from any part of the joint, including the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, or muscles. It may also be related to a wide variety of conditions, ranging from improperly healed injuries to autoimmune disorders.
What Are Chronic Joint Pain Symptoms?
The specifics of chronic joint pain depend on its cause. It may affect any joint in the body, but it is most common in the hands, hips, knees, and spine. The pain may be constant, or it may come and go with intense flares separated by periods of few to no symptoms. Pain sometimes appears by itself. In other cases, it is accompanied by other symptoms that may include:
- Redness or swelling
- Feelings of warmth
- Bruising
- Stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced range of motion
- A clicking or popping sensation
These symptoms can become severe enough to interfere with everyday activities, reducing a person’s quality of life. If a patient feels that their life has been negatively affected by chronic joint pain, they should speak with a physician about their options. Medical treatment may provide significant relief, helping patients get back to doing what they love.
What Causes Chronic Joint Pain?
Chronic joint pain is an extremely common complaint. According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, over 70% of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 experience chronic joint pain. This pain is not a condition on its own; rather, it is a symptom of many different conditions. Some of the most common causes of chronic joint pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Sports injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Lupus
- Gout
- Hormonal imbalance
- Obesity
Joint pain can affect anybody. Certain health and lifestyle factors, however, can put a person at greater risk of developing chronic joint pain. Some known risk factors for chronic joint pain include:
- Being over the age of 45
- Being female
- Being overweight
- Working a job or participating in a sport that stresses a joint
- Having previous joint injuries
- Having a history of smoking
- Having a family history of certain conditions
To reduce the risk of developing chronic joint pain, people can make lifestyle changes, such as performing proper warmups and cooldowns before and after exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. These proactive steps can help prevent joint pain from becoming a chronic condition.
How Is Chronic Joint Pain Diagnosed?
Because chronic joint pain is a symptom of multiple different conditions, an accurate diagnosis is essential to planning treatment. The Bergen Medical Associates team performs a variety of diagnostic tests to rule out possibilities and confirm the cause of chronic joint pain. These tests include:
- Physical examination: The physician asks the patient to perform certain movements to evaluate their range of motion, look for pain points, and learn more about the patient’s symptoms.
- Medical history evaluation: By examining the patient’s medical history, physicians can identify prior injuries, inherited conditions, and other factors that may contribute to pain.
- Imaging: An X-ray may be used to examine structures inside the joint, including the bones, cartilage, and connective tissue, to look for signs of damage.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can be used to identify certain causes of joint pain, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions that attack the joints.
By using these assessments, our team can determine the most likely cause of the joint pain and how to best treat it.
What Are Chronic Joint Pain Treatment Options?
Treatments for chronic joint pain depend on its cause. Some types of pain can be treated directly. Others cannot be cured, only managed. After diagnosis, the physician will help the patient understand the different care approaches available to them. These may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Weight loss, increased or decreased exercise, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet may relieve some forms of joint pain.
- Medication: Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication can relieve inflammation, while immunosuppressants counteract autoimmune disorders.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy focuses on building strength and flexibility around joints. This can reduce pain and increase the patient’s range of motion.
- Braces: Wearable medical equipment, including orthotics and braces, provides external stability to reduce pressure on painful joints.
- Surgery: Severe joint pain may be treated with surgery, which aims to repair or replace damaged joint structures to restore normal function.
When you come to Bergen Medical Associates, our multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop the most suitable treatment or treatments that are tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
Find Chronic Joint Pain Treatment Near You in New Jersey
If you or a loved one is struggling with chronic joint pain, a solution exists. Bergen Medical Associates is led by a multidisciplinary team of over 40 board-certified physicians. These professionals cover a wide range of medical specialties, including pain management/physical medicine and rehabilitation and orthopedics. They coordinate their expertise to provide comprehensive care. Our team is committed to treating every aspect of a patient’s health to maximize their overall well-being and quality of life.
Chronic pain does not need to get in the way of the lifestyle you want to pursue. Bergen Medical Associates can help you get back to pain-free living. To learn more about chronic joint pain treatments or to get started with your diagnosis and care, request an appointment today. We have locations in Emerson, Montvale, Northvale, Paramus, and Ridgewood, NJ, making it easy to find treatment near you.
