Joint pain can affect any joint, including hands, feet, hips, shoulders, knees, or spine. The pain can present as a burning, throbbing or grating sensation. Your joint can feel sore or stiff, especially in the morning, and ease with movement or activity. But too much activity can worsen your joint pain. Joint pain can result from injuries, overuse, aging, or medical conditions. It can affect your joint function and limit you from performing daily activities. The treatment option used by the professionals at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists focuses on the root cause of your joint pain and symptoms and helps restore movement and function. There are various treatments for joint pain, including:

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)

You can use RICE therapy at home. Resting the injured joint can ease pain and swelling. You can apply an ice part on the affected joint for about twenty minutes several times daily to help reduce swelling. Wrapping the injured joint with an elastic bandage and elevating it can also help reduce swelling.

Exercise

Exercise helps restore joint strength and function. Your physical therapist may recommend low-impact activities like walking or swimming. Gently stretching the affected joint can also help restore function.

Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and ease pain. You can purchase these medications over the counter, but stronger doses require your doctor’s prescription. Consult your doctor if you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or liver disease before you take ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can help reduce pain but not inflammation.  

Topical treatments

You can use topical treatments like ointments and gel into the skin over the affected joint region to help ease the pain. You can get these treatments over the counter, or your doctor may write a prescription.

Supportive aids

Supportive aids like braces, canes, or orthotic shoe devices can help support the affected joint to ease movement. Your physical therapist can guide you using your supportive aid within the first days.

Steroid injections

Steroid injections are administered into the affected joint to help reduce pain and swelling. They provide short-term relief. You only use steroid injections for a short time because prolonged use can weaken your joints.

Surgery

Your specialist may recommend joint surgery if you have persistent severe pain or your symptoms do not improve with other treatments. There are various surgeries for joint pain, including:

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy involves your surgeon making two or three small cuts in the flesh of the affected joint. The provider inserts an arthroscope through the incisions and repairs the damaged cartilage or removes bone chips in or near the joint, causing pain.

Joint replacement

Surgeons mostly use joint replacement in hip, knee, or shoulder joints. You may have joint replacement surgery if the cartilage that cushions and protects the joint ends gradually wears away. During joint replacement surgery, your surgeon removes parts of the affected bone and implants an artificial joint made of metal or plastic. Studies show that most patients get long-lasting relief after joint replacement surgery.

Joint pain can affect any joint in your body. There are many treatments for joint pain, including exercise, medications, steroid injections, and surgery. Schedule an appointment with Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists for joint pain treatment to improve your quality of life.