Joint Pain Relief

The original term came from the Greek arthralgia (literal translation: joint pain) is a symptom of injury, infection, illness or secondary to an allergic reaction. Joint pain and restricted movement are frequently reported with musculoskeletal conditions. This common condition may result from several known causes which range from a direct trauma or can result from underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Recommendations

If you have any worries, questions and concerns regarding joint pain your GP Surgery will be able to provide advice and support regarding this.

Additionally the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (ACPSM) recommends the PRICE guidelines for the management of acute injuries for the first 72 hours. Apply ice intermittently for the first 24 - 72 hours of an injury to reduce pain and inflammation. Oil is applied to the skin prior to application to minimise the risk of an ice burn from the low temperature.

Physiotherapists work extensively with joint pain and can provide assessment, advice and management regarding a wide range of joint injuries.

Self Diagnosis and Self Treatment”

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Joint Pain

Joint pain can occur for several different reasons which can include most commonly: direct injuries (e.g. a knee contusion following a fall) but also infections. Additionally, conditions such as Gout, metabolic disorders, bone diseases and the very rarely tumours can all result in joint pain. Joint pain can cause high levels of discomfort, limit mobility and can seriously impact on quality of life. Joint pain with or without restrictions in joint movement can occur at any age and can start as a sudden onset or can gradually build up over time. Symptoms associated with joint pain will vary depending on the cause.

Joint Pain Causes

Throughout our ongoing growth and development joints are placed under differing stresses and loads. These differing forces will vary depending on their anatomical position (e.g. knee joint vs. elbow joint) the muscular activity around them and the relative posture of the whole body. Joints surfaces are continually remodelled throughout life and as such change their shape slightly as the joint matures.

Radiographs (x-rays) of healthy (joint-pain free) people over 30 years of age have been demonstrated to show small changes in shape of their joints. This indicates that such changes in bone morphology are to a degree, normal and related to the ongoing remodelling of bony structures. However, extensive bony remodelling may be described as degenerative and can be commonly caused by wear and tear and injury and may result in joint pain. Auto immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – can cause stiffness and pain in joints, and osteoarthritis (OA), which involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of cartilage at a joint. Symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and or a warm joint sensation suggest joint inflammation due to an injury or an underlying condition like OA or RA. However, these symptoms can also be due to an infection in the joint.

Sporting activities can often result in joint injuries which can lead to pain and excessive (Hyper mobility) or more commonly restrictions in joint mobility (Hypo mobility). Physiotherapy treatments can reduce pain and improve joint function.

Physiotherapy Assessment

The assessment is divided in to a history section where the patient is asked several questions to describe their current condition i.e. when the joint pain started, does the joint have a restricted range of movement. Its current presentation and how the joint pain condition has changed since onset. This is followed by a physical examination of the painful joint where the physiotherapist aims to establish the cause of the joint pain.

Joint Pain Relief

Treatment methods selected by Physiotherapists will depend on a specific underlying cause determined from the assessment. Conservative Physiotherapy care has also shown to be beneficial in the relief of symptoms i.e. reducing pain and regaining joint mobility.