Report Painful Joints to Your Doctor

Joint pain is a common complaint, especially among older adults. Joint pain often occurs in the knees, hips, hands, or feet, but it can also happen in any of the other 300+ joints in your body. If joint pain starts when you’re over 50, there’s a good chance that it’s caused by arthritis. However, there are several other possible causes, so joint pain should always be evaluated by a physician.

Once you report joint pain, your doctor can check your range of motion, swelling, and strength in the affected joint(s). The exam, along with a detailed medical history and an assessment of risk factors, will help your doctor determine if further evaluation and testing are needed.

Common causes of joint pain include osteoarthritis (degenerative changes due to wear and tear), autoimmune arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis), and injuries. Once a diagnosis is reached, you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan. For osteoarthritis, the plan may include applying ice or heat, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. If these aren’t effective, injections of steroids or hylauronic acid may be considered. Weight loss, acupuncture, yoga, and tai chi also may help.

If your doctor suspects rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, you’ll be referred to a rheumatologist. Blood tests and MRI imaging can provide more information that will help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms and create a treatment plan.

But you can’t get an accurate diagnosis without taking that first step—so start by telling your doctor about your joint pain. Pursue a conservative course of treatment if that’s what is recommended, but ask for further evaluation and/or a consult with a specialist if your symptoms don’t respond to treatment within two to four weeks.

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