Arthralgia (Joint Pain)

Arthralgia is a health term that refers to pain in one or more joints. It is derived from the Greek words “arthro,” meaning joint, and “algos,” meaning pain. Arthralgia is a symptom rather than a specific medical condition and can be associated with various underlying causes.

Common causes of arthralgia include arthritis (inflammation of the joints), injury or trauma to the joint, autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain metabolic disorders. The pain associated with arthralgia can range from mild to severe and may be acute or chronic.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience persistent or severe joint pain to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Treatment options for arthralgia depend on the specific cause and may include medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or other interventions tailored to address the underlying condition.

Cause of Joint Pain

Joint pain is extremely common, especially as you age. In one national survey, about one-third of adults reported having joint pain within the past 30 days. Knee pain was the most common complaint, followed by shoulder and hip pain. But joint pain can affect any part of your body, from your ankles and feet to your shoulders and hands.

A wide range of conditions can lead to painful joints:

• Osteoarthritis, a “wear and tear” disease, is the most common type of arthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that happens when your body attacks its own tissues.
• Bursitis is when sacs of fluid that help cushion your joints get inflamed.
• Gout is a form of arthritis that most often affects your big toe joint.
• Strains, sprains, and other injuries.

Often, the pain can come with swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and loss of range of motion.

Treatments for Joint Pain

Joint pain can range from mildly irritating to debilitating. It may go away after a few weeks (acute), or last for several weeks or months (chronic). Even short-term pain and swelling in the joints can affect your quality of life. Whatever the cause of joint pain, you can usually manage it with medication, physical therapy, or alternative treatments.

Your doctor will first try to diagnose and treat the condition that is causing your joint pain. The goal is to reduce pain and inflammation and preserve joint function. Treatment options include:

Medications

For moderate-to-severe joint pain with swelling, an over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, or naproxen can provide relief. NSAIDs can have side effects, potentially increasing your risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.

If you have mild pain without any swelling, acetaminophen can be effective. Be careful when taking this medicine though, especially if you drink alcohol, because high doses may cause liver damage. Because of the risks, you should take any of these pain medications with caution.

If your pain is so severe that NSAIDs aren’t effective enough, your doctor may prescribe a stronger opioid medication. Because opioid drugs can cause drowsiness, you should only use them under a doctor’s care. They also can cause constipation, which you can relieve by taking laxatives.

Other drugs that may help relieve pain include:

• Muscle relaxants to treat muscle spasms (may be used together with NSAIDs to increase the effect)
• Some antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs (which both interfere with pain signals)

Topical Agents

Capsaicin: a substance found in chili peppers, may relieve joint pain from arthritis and other conditions. Capsaicin blocks substance P, which helps transmit pain signals, and it triggers the release of chemicals in the body called endorphins, which block pain. Side effects of capsaicin cream include burning or stinging in the area where it is applied. Another topical option is an arthritis cream containing the ingredient, methyl salicylate.

Injections

For people who don’t find joint pain relief from oral or topical medications, the doctor may try injections.

• Steroids. Mostly commonly, they might inject a steroid medication (which may be combined with a local anesthetic) directly into the joint every 3 to 4 months. Steroid injections are most commonly used in patients with arthritis or tendinitis. If steroid injections mask an injury, you could overuse the joint and damage it even further. The procedures are effective, but in many situations the effect may be temporary.
• Platelet-rich plasma therapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from your own blood, which is then injected into your painful joint. Your joint contains a large number of platelets and proteins that have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.
• Prolotherapy. It involves a series of injections of an irritant (often a sugar solution) into joints, ligaments, and tendons. The theory is that the injections stimulate local healing of injured tissues. A treatment program may involve 15-20 shots given monthly for 3-4 months. 

Other injection options include:

• Removing fluid from the joint (and is often done in connection with a steroid injection)
• Injections of hyaluronan, a synthetic version of the natural joint fluid. This is used to treat osteoarthritis.

Physical Therapy

You can work with a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles around the joint, stabilize the joint, and improve your range of motion. The therapist will use techniques such as ultrasound, heat or cold therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and manipulation.

If you are overweight, losing weight can relieve some of the pressure on your painful joints. Exercise is one effective way to lose weight (along with diet), but be careful to stick with low-impact exercises that won’t further irritate the joint. Swimming and bicycling are among the best exercises because both allow you to exercise your joints without putting impact on them. Because water is buoyant, swimming also relieves some of the pressure on your joints.

Home Care

You can relieve short-term joint pain with a few simple techniques at home. One method is known by the acronym PRICE:

• Protect the joint with a brace or wrap.
• Rest the joint, avoiding any activities that cause you pain.
• Ice the joint for about 15 minutes, several times each day.
• Compress the joint using an elastic wrap.
• Elevate the joint above the level of your heart.

Applying ice to your painful joints can relieve the pain and inflammation. For muscle spasms around joints, try using a heating pad or wrap several times a day. Your doctor may recommend that you tape or splint the joint to minimize movement or reduce pain, but avoid keeping the joint still for too long because it can eventually become stiff and lose function.

Alternative Treatments

Some research shows that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can help with joint pain and improve function. Both of these substances are components of normal cartilage, which helps cushion the bones and protect joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are available in capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid form. Although these supplements don’t work for everyone, they are safe to try because they don’t have any significant side effects.

When to Call Your Doctor

No matter what treatment you’re following, get medical help right away if the pain gets intense, your joint suddenly becomes inflamed or deformed, or you can no longer use the joint at all.