Joint pain can be an indication of different health conditions that are expressed throughout different parts of your body. Pain management often involves the treatment and prevention of further discomfort, as well as discovering any underlying issues. Here are more things to know about treatment for joint pain:
Understanding Joint Pain
The pain might affect one or several joints in the body, and this kind of discomfort frequently occurs in the hands, feet, hips, and knees. A stiff or itchy feeling in these parts of the body might indicate future joint pain. Other people experience a burning or throbbing sensation, which is often felt in the early hours of the day and gets better as you start doing activities. Lack of pain management could lead to limited joint functionality and ability to perform specific tasks.
Causes of Joint Pains
Joint pains may result from osteoarthritis, which happens when your cartilage wears away. When the protective cushion between the bones is damaged, it causes stiffness and pain in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes soreness and pain, which causes deformity in the finger and wrist joints. Joint pain could also be caused by tendinitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the tendons. People with gout can experience pain and swelling that result from the collection of acidic crystals in the joints.
Creating a Treatment Plan
A medical specialist should work to determine a treatment plan tailored to your health goals. In some cases, you might avoid surgery through less invasive approaches, depending on the doctor’s recommendation. Pain treatment options help in alleviating stubborn pain that fails with conventional remedies. Your specialist can provide long-term medication and rehabilitation after a procedure.
Diagnosis of Joint Pain Conditions
Treatment options for joint pain management depend on the recommendations of your medical specialist and your input. Examinations could include physical examination and laboratory testing. The doctor may recommend the use of MRIs and X-rays to determine if there are any unseen causes for your discomfort. Your specialist can also conduct a neuropsychological evaluation if there are any head injuries or cognitive complications. Musculoskeletal tests and EMG examinations might also help determine the cause of pain conditions.
Treatment Types for Joint Pain
Once a doctor has reviewed your test results and has completed their own examinations, they should begin recommending treatments. There are several types of treatments specialists may use to help restore your physical mobility. Here are five treatment options:
- Injections: A joint specialist might recommend treatment options such as injections to alleviate pain. Injections such as epidural steroids and facet joint injections are administered depending on the cause of the pain and symptoms.
- PRP Therapy: Your doctor can also recommend a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) approach to enhance the regeneration of tissue that has degenerated or damaged.
- Physical Therapy: In many instances, conditions could require physical therapy to help limit discomfort and improve mobility. Depending on the extent of your pains, your doctor may recommend several physical therapy routines.
- TENS Devices: For other cases of joint pain, specialists may use a non-invasive device called a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, which uses low-voltage electricity to alleviate muscular pain.
- Traction: Pain management may also include traction with a device that uses a system of pulleys to stretch the spinal structure and reduce neck pains resulting from nerve inflammation. Some medical specialists recommend traction pain management for patients allergic to other pain medications.
Consult a Pain Management Specialist
For patients with altered daily life activities and mobility because of joint pain, seeking a healthcare specialist could help reduce discomfort and restore bodily functionality. A reliable health specialist should diagnose and tailor your treatment options depending on your medical history. If you need joint pain management options, consult a reputable specialist today.
