What Are the Treatments for Joint Pain?

Joint pain can affect any joint in the human body, but most often occurs in the major weight-bearing joints: the knees, the hips and the ankles. Regardless of its location, joint pain can seriously impede life function and overall mobility. However, there are treatment options available for joint pain; a discussion of these follows.

Rest

• Resting an achy, painful joint is an effective form of joint pain treatment. Many times joint pain, whether caused by arthritis, bursitis or some other type of joint-related malady, is exacerbated by physical movement of the joint, especially high-stress/high-impact movement. Avoid these types of activities and rest joint areas as much as possible when experiencing pain.

Heat

• The application of heat (generally via a heating pad) to a painful joint can be very effective at reducing pain and increasing joint function and mobility. Many times the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the area can become constricted and tight, increasing pain. Applying heat to the specific area can relax the muscles and soft tissues.

Pain Medication

• Various types of pain medications, including NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), are available to treat joint pain, both in over-the-counter and prescription strength. These types of medications help to reduce joint swelling and irritation.

Joint Injections

• Joint injections are routinely performed on very painful and/or damaged joints that fail to respond adequately to less invasive forms of treatment. A typical joint injection involves the placement of a steroid, typically a cortisone-based steroid, directly into the joint capsule, which helps to relieve pain and inflammation within the joint.

Joint Replacement

• Joint replacement is normally performed when joints become too damaged and/or painful as the result of injury and/or disease. Joint replacement surgery involves the replacement of a body joint with an artificial, or prosthetic, joint that restores joint function and eliminates pain.