Overview
Joint pain can come from the joint itself or from nearby tendons, ligaments and bursae. Causes range from overuse and injury to arthritis and autoimmune conditions.
Identifying the cause is the first step. A rheumatologist, sports medicine physician or orthopaedic surgeon can evaluate the joint and recommend treatment.
Watch: Joint Pain explained
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Common symptoms
- Aching or sharp joint pain
- Swelling or warmth
- Stiffness
- Clicking, locking or instability
- Pain in several joints at once
Causes and risk factors
- Osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Bursitis or tendinitis
- Sprains and ligament injuries
- Gout
How it is diagnosed
Your clinician will review your history, examine the joint and may order X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or blood tests to look for inflammation or other causes.
Treatment options
Care is stepped: most people start with self-care and physical therapy, and move to the next step only if pain continues. Some problems, such as nerve weakness, may skip ahead. Your exam, imaging and goals decide which options fit you.
Self-care and lifestyle
Relative rest from aggravating activity, ice or heat and gentle movement.
Physical therapy and medications
Physical therapy and short-term medicines; testing for inflammatory causes when needed.
Injections and nerve blocks
Joint or bursa injections may help depending on the cause.
Minimally invasive procedures
Tenex for chronic tendon pain, viscosupplementation or PRP in selected cases.
Surgical evaluation
Orthopaedic surgical evaluation if structural damage is found.
Learn how we approach care: our care philosophy · nonsurgical options · second opinions.
When to seek urgent care
Seek prompt care for a hot, red, swollen joint with fever, inability to bear weight after an injury, sudden severe symptoms, or any symptom that worries you.
Frequently asked questions
When should I see someone about joint pain?
Get evaluated if pain lasts more than a few weeks, limits activity, or comes with swelling, redness or fever. A hot, swollen joint with fever needs urgent care.
Who should I see first?
For pain in several joints with morning stiffness, rheumatology is often a good first step. For a single painful joint after injury, sports medicine or orthopaedics may be better. We can help you choose.
Can imaging help?
X-rays, ultrasound or MRI can identify the cause in many cases, depending on your symptoms.
This page is general patient education and does not replace advice from your own clinician. Individual results vary.