Why You Should Never Ignore Joint Pain Often, we experience a sharp pain in our joints, such as the knees. This especially happens while carrying out activities that put pressure on the knees, such as climbing stairs or getting up from a squatting position. Most of us dismiss this pain, thinking it is related to stress or excessive physical activity. However, chronic joint pain can diminish our quality of life and should be taken seriously.
Are you experiencing joint pain lately? Then, this blog is for you. Read on to find out the reasons for joint pain and how you should approach it.
What is joint pain? Any kind of discomfort or pain in the joints of the body can be called joint pain. Joints such as knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows are the most common places to feel joint pain. Though most of us do not consider visiting a doctor for the same, chronic joint pain can be a part of some underlying condition that needs to be checked immediately. Excess physical activity, an illness, or an injury can cause joint pain. Other conditions such as osteoarthritis, where the tissues that support the joints wear down, also cause chronic joint pain.
Why does joint pain occur? Joint pain occurs when the cartilages that support the movement of the bones in the joints start degrading. This can cause friction between the bones during movement, causing pain.
Chronic joint pain makes it difficult to move certain parts of the body. When this occurs over a long period, it can create problems in movement, affecting the patient’s quality of life.
Joint pain in younger individuals can occur due to an illness or an injury. In elderly people, arthritis is the most common cause of joint pain. It is a condition where there is inflammation of the joints that can cause them to become stiff and painful.
The two different types of arthritis that affect elderly patients are:
Osteoarthritis
This is a type of arthritis where the cartilages protecting the bones have become worn down due to age. This causes the movement of bones to be painful and difficult.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This is a condition where the body’s immune cells attack the joint tissues, causing them to wear down.
Both these conditions can be extremely painful and require medications and therapy.
How is joint pain diagnosed? If you are suffering from chronic joint pain that is making it difficult for you to move, you may want to consult a physician. They will conduct the following tests for proper joint pain diagnosis:
1. Blood test — This will be conducted to rule out the possibility of any autoimmune disease.
2. Imaging test — An X-ray, an MRI, or an ultrasound scan of the site of the pain will help your doctor understand the root cause of the pain. It will also help rule out any internal injuries, fractures, or damage caused by arthritis. 3. Physical exam — Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to check for the exact site of the pain. Also, a series of questions will be asked to determine the intensity of the pain. This will help them understand whether the pain is internal or external.
How is joint pain treated? Once diagnosed, your doctor will direct you toward the best possible treatment for your condition. Though there is no complete cure for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis, the condition can easily be managed in the following ways:
Anti-inflammatory drugs — This is the first line of defence for managing arthritic pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce inflammation and swelling, thereby decreasing the pain.
Dietary supplements — Dietary supplements such as vitamin D or omega 3 capsules can help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.
Physical therapy — This will help improve mobility in the affected joints. It can also include the use of devices such as canes or braces to support joints and make their movement pain-free.
Steroids — People with extremely painful osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis are prescribed steroid injections. These injections significantly reduce inflammation, thereby the pain as well. However, these injections only provide temporary relief and do not treat the root cause of the problem.
Why should you not ignore joint pain?
Joint pain experienced for a long time should never be ignored. Mild pain or mobility problems due to arthritis or an injury can easily be managed with the help of physical therapy and certain medications.
However, if arthritis is left untreated for a long time, it can result in joint erosion, permanent bone damage, or give rise to clinical osteoarthritis. These conditions do not have a permanent cure. They may require surgery or can be managed by the above-mentioned methods.
Cost of Joint Pain Treatment in India India is known for its high-quality medical care that is affordable to many. Antiinflammatory and arthritic medications cost from Rs. 50 to Rs. 200, depending on the quality of the medications prescribed by the doctor.
The approximate cost of a blood test in India is Rs 250 to Rs 300 depending on the lab you choose. The blood test cost also depends on the city you live in. Blood tests typically cost more in metro cities than in tier 1 or tier 2 cities.
The average cost of an MRI exam in India is in the range of Rs 6000 to Rs 9000, again depending on the city you live in.
For an X-ray test, the cost ranges anywhere from Rs 250 to Rs 2000. Original Source - https://www.srlworld.com/srlcare