Causes of Joint Pain

One major cause of joint pains is osteoarthritis. Arthritis, in itself is a general cause of joint pain. An increasing number of people are troubled by osteoarthritis, more so than any other type of arthritis. This condition is sometimes referred to as degenerative arthritis because it wears out the cartilage in a person's joints and causes the bones connected at the joint to rub. This rubbing of bones produces joint pain, stiffness, swelling and function loss. Around 27 million Americans are afflicted by osteoarthritis. The symptoms normally occur after forty years of age and may slowly progress throughout one's lifetime. Osteoarthritis often occurs in the knees, hips, and lower back, targeting the large weight-carrying joints. Back joint pain, along with discomfort in the other major joints can be especially debilitating, as they play a significant role in mobility. Being overweight also increases one's risk to osteoarthritis. The obese are three times more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis than thinner individuals. A history of osteoarthritis in ones family also increases an individual's likelihood of suffering from this condition. Osteoarthritis is not yet curable, so current treatments are implemented to reduce inflammation and joint pain. These treatments start with any necessary weight reduction, and may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), joint pain supplements, injections, and joint replacement surgery for severe cases.

Another cause of joint pain is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This disorder is common among women aged 40 to 60 years of age. RA is three times more likely to occur in woman than men. It causes soreness and stiffness in the joints. Around one 1.3 million American adults suffer from this chronic condition. People who experience this kind of arthritis have an autoimmune disorder in their immune systems that causes it to attack their joints. A malfunction in the immune system causes inflammation in joint linings and internal organs that may lead to pain, restricted movements and deterioration. RA spreads throughout the whole body, thereby affecting all the joints. It often takes place in small joints in the feet and hands but can have negative effects on any joints of the body. RA is a debilitating and painful condition that can lead to loss of functionality and mobility. Much like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis has no known cure. Current treatmenst seek to reduce further joint deteriation, along with pain reduction. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are utilized to slow down the progression of this disease, with remission as the goal. Cortisone injections are helpful in the short term, though lower dosages are often implamented to treat for longer terms. A wide variety of analgesics are often implamented to treat joint pain.

Gout is a joint condition that creates acute and serious pain, inflammation, tenderness, and redness in joints. It is caused by a growth of excessive uric acid in the body that takes the form of crystals. They are deposited in the joints, which leads to swelling. This condition usually strikes after fifty years of age. Is most predominant amongst males. Inflammation of joints, especially the feet and hands can lead to deformity. The kidney's functioning deteriorates, as one gets older and the condition becomes chronic. It affects one joint at a time but may spread to other joints if not treated early on. The first goal in treating gout is to reduce pain and inflammation. The second is to prevent any future episodes and related tissue damage. This is accomplished by lowering the supply of purine in the blood. Dissolving crystals and lowering blood uric-acid levels can be accomplished by avoiding purine-rich foods, such as seafood and meat. Consuming dairy products can help remove the risk of future gout attacks. The correct use of medications, joint pain supplements, and diet all play an important role in gout prevention.

Aseptic Necrosis - Aseptic necrosis (avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis) is bone death due to the lack of blood supply to the given area of bone. For obvious reasons this can cause joint pain.

Bursitis - Inflammation of the bursa, the fluid filled sac that prevents friction amongst tendons and joints. This can have a significant impact amongst the larger joints, such as the hips, knee joints, shoulder joints, and elbow joints.

Fibromyalgia - a condition that creates pain and rigidity around joints. It also causes aching and fatigue.

Injury - Any time there is a bone fracture, sprain, cartilage tear, or even tendonitis the potential for increased joint pain arises.

Lupus - A disease that makes the joint swollen, tender and inflamed. It is an inflammatory disease.

Osteochondritis Dissecans - The loss or reduction in the blood supply to a portion of bone and connecting cartilage.

Osteoporosis - A bone disorder that causes pain in joints that connect damaged bones. It is most frequent in women beyond menopausal stage.