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What causes joint pain?

Joint pain is a common problem that has numerous potential causes, including:

Acute injuries

Acute injuries include sprains, strains, cartilage damage, fractures, and dislocations. Sprains are injuries of the ligaments, the connective tissues that attach bones to one another in your joints. Strains are tendon injuries — tendons attach muscles to bones in your joints. Common acute sports injuries include meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries in the knee, rotator cuff tendinopathy or tears in the shoulders, labral tears in the hips and shoulders, and ankle sprains.

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries develop more slowly as repeated movements cause irritation and inflammation of the tendons, cartilage, or tissue involved with the joints. Examples of common overuse injuries include bursitis (inflammation of the protective fluid sacs in many joints), achilles tendinitis, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis). Acute and overuse injuries can become chronic and debilitating without the right treatment. This can lead to functional and daily physical limitations due to pain and weakness.

Is arthritis a cause of joint pain?

Yes — arthritis is probably the most common cause of chronic joint pain. There are numerous kinds of arthritis, over 100 in all. Those that are most widespread include:

Osteoarthritis

The most common form, osteoarthritis, develops over time due to joint wear and tear. The loss of protective cartilage causes friction, inflammation, and pain during movement.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain and swelling. It can develop at any age and is diagnosed through blood tests by a rheumatologist.

Gout

A condition caused by uric acid buildup, leading to crystal formation in joints. It primarily affects the big toe and causes severe, intermittent pain episodes.

How is joint pain treated?

Acute joint pain usually improves with rest and activity modification, and typically working with a well-trained physical therapist. Hot compresses, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medication can also help ease swelling and pain. 

Dr. Rispoli specializes in diagnosing and treating sports injuries and chronic joint pain. She provides a range of treatments to suit your condition, including:

Physical therapy guidance and referral
Joint injections
PRP (platelet-rich-plasma) injections
Alpha 2 Macroglobulin injections
Stem cell therapy

Treatment usually begins with the more conservative options before moving to advanced interventions if you’re not getting relief from your pain

Your Wellness, Our Commitment

Receive exceptional care with personalized attention and expert medical support. From pain management to advanced treatments, Dr. Leia Rispoli and her team are here to help you live pain-free. Schedule your visit today.

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