Do You Need To See A Doctor For That Joint Pain?

Joint pain can present in a number of ways and can be caused by a myriad of issues. Only a pain specialist such as those at Integrated Pain Consultants can properly diagnose joint pain and the root cause. The most common presentations of joint pain include pain, discomfort, and/or inflammation at the joint site. Joint pain includes any part of this highly mobile area including the cartilage, muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or a combination of these parts. Joint pain is most often caused by arthritis or arthralgia, which stems from pain inside the actual joint (not the surrounding area).

However, joint pain can also be experienced due to bursitis, a dislocation, complex regional pain syndrome, bone cancer, adult Still’s disease, gout, Lupus, hypothyroidism, sprains and strains, rickets, tendinitis, and all different types of arthritis (there are quite a few!). The actual pain can range from mild soreness only after specific activities (such as gardening) to severe and debilitating.

SEEING YOUR PAIN SPECIALIST FOR JOINT PAIN

Joint pain usually isn’t an emergency, and some patients choose to self-treat mild symptoms at home. However, you should always make an appointment with a Phoenix pain specialist if your joint pain has swelling, tenderness, redness, or warmth. If you know an injury led to your joint pain, it’s critical to see a doctor right away especially if you have intense pain or swelling, joint deformity, or cannot use the joint.

It’s also a good idea to see a pain specialist even in mild cases. You might find out that the cause is actually a condition that’s best treated early. At-home treatments usually include using pain medication, which can be dangerous over time, or simply avoiding using the joint which might not solve the real issue. A pain clinic can offer a number of treatments such as joint injections for fast, effective, and safe pain relief. Schedule a detailed evaluation by calling Integrated Pain Consultants at (480) 626-2552.