Joint Pain: Just a Sprain or Something More Serious?

Almost everybody experiences joint pain at some point in their lives. This condition is not usually serious and can often be treated at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medications. Occasionally, however, joint pain is a symptom of a serious underlying condition. Bergen Medical Associates provides medical care in many medical specialties, including orthopedics, at locations near you in northern New Jersey. Here, we discuss joint pain, what it means, and when to speak with an orthopedic physician.

Adult experiencing joint pain

What Is Joint Pain?

Joint pain is discomfort that affects one or more joints in the body. Joints are where two or more bones come together to facilitate movement, like the knees, elbows, or hips. Joint pain can come in many forms depending on its cause. Common signifiers include:

  • Sharp, aching, or burning pain
  • Redness, warmth, or swelling around the affected joint
  • A throbbing or grating sensation
  • Stiffness or loss of mobility
  • Looseness or a sense of instability

These symptoms may be constant, or they may come and go. Some patients notice that their discomfort is the most severe in the morning and gets better with exercise. For others, too much physical activity makes the pain worse. Patients who struggle with joint pain should pay attention to their symptoms and what triggers them. This information will help physicians plan the most effective treatment.

What Conditions Can Cause Joint Pain?

Most joint pain is relatively minor. Sprains, or injuries to ligaments, are the most frequent cause of joint pain. Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint. They lock the joint in place, allowing movement while keeping it stable. When the joint moves in ways that it shouldn’t, the ligament may become stretched. Mild sprains cause temporary pain that gets better by itself. Only severe sprains, where the ligament tears through, require medical attention.

Sprains are not the only possible cause of joint pain, however. Several conditions cause symptoms that appear similar to a sprain, leading patients to dismiss serious health concerns as a minor injury. Conditions that can cause joint pain include:

Dismissing these conditions as minor injuries can be dangerous. If left untreated, they may cause increasing discomfort and serious long-term complications. This is why it’s important for patients to discuss new pain with a doctor. Even if symptoms seem inconsequential, medical care can keep them from getting worse down the line.

How Can I Care for Joint Pain at Home?

Minor joint pain can often be managed at home. Self-care treatments aim to relieve symptoms while encouraging natural healing. Effective methods include:

  • Rest: Reduce or stop physical activity. Avoid movements that make the pain worse, giving the joint time to heal properly.
  • Ice: Apply an ice pack to the area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, waiting at least one hour before applying ice again. This helps reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Heat: Apply a heating pad, take a warm shower, or soak in a warm tub. The heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to stimulate healing.
  • Medication: Over-the-counter medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), provide temporary pain relief while the injury heals.

These methods provide relief and a faster recovery for minor forms of pain. However, they cannot treat severe chronic pain conditions. Patients should speak with their primary care physician or an orthopedic specialist if home care does not provide sufficient relief.

When Is Joint Pain Serious?

While sprains and other minor injuries might get better with home care, more serious forms of joint pain will not. These conditions will only get worse unless they are evaluated and treated by a board-certified physician. Patients should speak to a doctor if any of the following statements are true:

  • Pain, swelling, or stiffness affects more than one joint
  • The pain has no obvious cause, such as an injury
  • Pain or stiffness interferes with normal everyday activities
  • The pain lasts for more than three days without improvement
  • The pain keeps coming back several times a month

When in doubt about seeking medical treatment, patients should err on the side of caution and see a physician. Even if the condition turns out to be minor, a medical diagnosis will provide peace of mind.

How Is Joint Pain Diagnosed?

When a patient visits Bergen Medical Associates for joint pain, the first step is diagnosis. Joint pain has many possible causes. Identifying the correct one is key to developing an effective treatment strategy. Physicians at Bergen Medical Associates employ a variety of strategies to diagnose pain, including:

  • Physical examination
  • Reviewing the patient’s medical history
  • Imaging tests, such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Blood tests

These tests help to rule out potential causes and arrive at a conclusive diagnosis. Once the cause of a person’s pain is identified, physicians can begin planning the treatment that is most likely to relieve pain and help the patient get back to living life to the fullest.

What Treatments for Joint Pain Are Offered at Bergen Medical Associates?

At Bergen Medical Associates, joint pain is treated by members of our musculoskeletal team who provide a wide range of treatments, from medications and lifestyle guidance to surgical intervention. These board-certified physicians and medical professionals work together to ensure patients receive the appropriate care, helping them live free from pain.

Patients at Bergen Medical Associates receive fully personalized care plans designed for their unique medical needs. Those with minor or acute joint pain may be treated with activity modifications or medications, while patients with chronic or more severe joint pain may require physical therapy or surgery. Other options include wearing braces or receiving steroid injections. The musculoskeletal team collaborates to determine the best possible joint pain treatment method for each patient, providing comprehensive care.

Receive Cutting-Edge Joint Pain Care Near You in New Jersey

When struggling with chronic joint pain, patients look for a medical professional with the experience to provide lasting relief. Bergen Medical Associates provides state-of-the-art care for patients across northern New Jersey. All physicians are board-certified with training from the finest institutions, and every patient receives personalized attention. To learn more or to begin receiving care, request an appointment today. We have locations in Emerson, Montvale, Northvale, Paramus, and Ridgewood, NJ, making it easy to find treatment near you.

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