Joint pain is a common challenge that might trouble us from time to time throughout our adult lives, especially as we get older and older. When we first experience it, our natural reaction is to look for the cause.

Causes of joint pain in adults

Joint pain in adults might result from a variety of diseases and conditions. In this article, we will explore these possible causes and their symptoms.

Sprain or strain

We might experience joint pain due to sprain or strain, especially after a fall or injury. A sprain is when the ligaments – the tissues connecting the bones – overstretch or tear. A strain is when the same thing happens to the muscles around the joint or the tissues that attach the muscles to the bones. Both conditions can cause intense joint pain, but they usually heal well without permanent damage.

Symptoms:

  • Pain, tenderness, and swelling in the joint area
  • Weakness of the affected joint
  • Reduced weight-bearing capacity
  • Muscle spasms or cramping
  • Visible bruises in the area

Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term that describes many different joint diseases that cause inflammation in the joints. These conditions may vary in their symptoms, severity, and possible treatment options. Most forms of arthritis are chronic conditions with no cure, so often, the goal of treatment is reducing the symptoms.

Symptoms:

  • Inflammation of joints
  • Joint pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Possible redness and swelling around the joint

Hemarthrosis

Hemarthrosis means internal bleeding that leaks into the joint cavity. It might result from a bleeding disorder, injury, infection, or an autoimmune disease. The condition might also occur after surgery. When treating hemarthrosis, doctors look for the underlying cause of the bleeding and focus on fixing that. If hemarthrosis comes from an injury, it might often heal with rest.

Symptoms:

  • Joint pain
  • Swelling of the joint
  • Possible discoloration under the skin
  • The joint might feel warm to the touch

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the whole body, causing musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and other problems. While joint pain might be common with the disease, it’s usually only a small fraction of the symptoms. Fibromyalgia has no cure yet, so the best course of treatment is to minimize the impact of these symptoms.

Symptoms:

  • Muscle pain
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Digestive and bladder issues
  • Mental symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones. It occurs when the bone tissues break down faster than they can be replaced. The condition causes the bones to become porous, brittle, weakened, and more prone to injuries. While osteoporosis doesn’t directly cause joint pain, compression fractures can occur in weakened bones – especially in the vertebrae – which might feel like joint pain.

Symptoms:

  • Your hair and nails might become brittle
  • Weakened grip
  • Receding gums
  • Loss of height
  • Bones break or fracture easily

Bursitis

The cushioning around the joints is called bursae. Bursitis is a condition when these little sacks of fluid become inflamed. The most commonly affected joints are the shoulders, elbows, and hips. But it can also occur in the knees, the heels, and the base of the big toe. Bursitis is often the result of repetitive stress on the joint.

Symptoms:

  • Joint pain and stiffness
  • The pain increases with movement or pressure
  • Swelling
  • Redness

Tendonitis

Tendons are strong, flexible tissues connecting the muscles to the bones and joints. Tendonitis is the inflammation of these tissues. The condition responds well to rest and medicine and usually heals on its own. However, long-term inflammation of these tissues can cause tearing, which might require other treatment methods as well, sometimes even surgery.

Symptoms:

  • Dull pain in the area
  • Possible swelling and tenderness

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect our jawbone to the skull. TJM dysfunction usually means pain and discomfort in the area or even reduced range of motion. The causes might be dental issues, different forms of arthritis, the physical stress of the joint, or many other medical conditions. TMJ treatment might include rest, medication, or managing the underlying condition that causes the dysfunction.

Symptoms:

  • Discomfort or pain in the jaw
  • Ear pain
  • Locking of the jaw
  • Clicking sound when chewing
  • Uneven bite
  • Headache
  • Neck or shoulder pain

Adhesive capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis – or more commonly known as frozen shoulder – is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulders. The flexible tissues surrounding the shoulder become tighter and shrink, and the ability to move the shoulder decreases drastically over time. A frozen shoulder can develop due to trauma, the lack of movement after an injury, or inflammation. Treatment can include physical therapy, medications, or surgery. The shoulder usually heals on its own, even without treatment, but it will take much longer.

Symptoms:

  • Stiffness in the shoulder
  • Movement becomes painful
  • Drastically decreased range of motion

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome – also known as PFPS – is a medical term that describes pain in – or around – the kneecap. The pain increases when walking up or down stairs, squatting, or flexing the knee. It can result from repeated stress or the misalignment of the kneecap. Treatment usually involves resting the joint, managing the pain, and avoiding further stress.

Symptoms:

  • Knee pain that gets worse with repeated movements
  • Pain after long periods of sitting
  • Cracking sounds when bending the knee

What to do if you experience joint pain?

While every joint condition and disease is different, with different treatment options, these simple tactics can help you to ease the pain in most cases.

  • Let the joint rest
  • Avoid further stress and overuse
  • Despite the pain, don’t entirely stop moving the joint
  • Avoid high-impact activities
  • Apply an ice pack to the joint
  • Explore pain management options

When to see a doctor?

Mild joint pains resulting from bruises or overuse may easily go away just by letting the joint rest and heal. In other cases, seeing a doctor might be crucial.

You should seek professional help if:

  • The pain doesn’t improve for more than two weeks
  • The pain gets worse over time
  • You can’t perform everyday activities
  • The pain affects your sleep

You should seek emergency assistance if you experience the following symptoms:

  • Joint pain accompanied by fever
  • The joint is red, swollen, and feels hot
  • You are unable to walk or move the joint
  • You experience severe pain after an accident or injury
  • The joint moves out of place
  • Tingling sensation or loss of feeling in the area

The above symptoms might signal severe trauma, nerve damage, or an infection, all of which should get immediate treatment to avoid permanent damage.

Joint pain relief

Pain management is an integral part of the treatment for any painful joint condition as it makes the healing process easier and less uncomfortable. If you’d like to know more about your options, check out our article on joint pain management.