Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison	Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	R	S	T	U	V	W	Y

Skeleton	The structure of a joint

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Overview	Treatment

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Joint pain

Alternative Names

Stiffness in a joint; Pain - joints; Arthralgia

Home Care

Follow prescribed therapy in treating the underlying cause.

For nonarthritis joint pain, both rest and exercise are important. Warm baths, massage, and stretching exercises should be used as frequently as possible.

Anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve pain and swelling. Consult your health care provider before giving aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibruprofen to children.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• Fever is not associated with flu symptoms
• You have involuntary weight loss of 10 pounds or more
• The joint pain persists beyond 3 days
• You have severe, unexplained joint pain especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination. The following questions may help your provider identify the cause of your joint pain:

• Which joint hurts? Is the pain on one side or both sides?
• How long have you been having this pain? Have you had it before?
• Did this pain begin suddenly and severely -- or slowly and mildly?
• Is the pain constant or does it come and go? Has the pain become more severe?
• What started your pain -- have you injured your joint?
• Have you had an illness or fever?
• Does resting the joint reduce the pain or make it worse?
• Does moving the joint reduce the pain or make it worse?
• Are certain positions comfortable? Does keeping the joint elevated help?
• Do medications, massage, or applying heat reduce the pain?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Is there any numbness?
• Can you bend and straighten the joint? Does the joint feel stiff?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

• Blood studies -- CBC or blood differential
• Joint x-ray

Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.

Review Date: 7/12/2004
Reviewed By: Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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