Joint pain, or arthralgia, is discomfort, aches, or inflammation in one or more joints. It can result from various causes, and effective treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause.
Common Causes of Chronic Joint Pain
- Mechanical Injuries: Sprains, strains, or joint dislocations
- Types of Arthritis:
– Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of joint cartilage due to wear and tear
– Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition causing joint inflammation
– Gout: Buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints
– Psoriatic Arthritis: Associated with psoriasis
- Autoimmune or Inflammatory Disorders:
– Lupus, Ankylosing spondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
Assessment and Diagnosis:
To effectively manage joint pain, a comprehensive evaluation is crucial for identifying the underlying cause. This includes the following components:
– Comprehensive history and evaluation
– Investigations: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan
– Follow-up for the personalised multimodal management plan
– Review of the agreed-tailored pathway outcomes
– Referrals to specialists (e.g. Orthopaedics, Rheumatology) if necessary
Multimodal Treatment:
The underlying cause determines treatment and may include:
– Oral analgesics, including anti-inflammatories
– Topical creams or gels
– Pain interventions:
Joint injections with corticosteroids to alleviate inflammation
Hyaluronic acid injections to enhance joint lubrication in osteoarthritis
Nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablations
– Physical therapy:
Strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint to improve support
Range-of-motion exercises
– Alternative therapies like acupuncture and massage
– Psychological support: stress management, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
– Surgical options: joint replacements and arthroscopic surgeries
