Joint Pain
Many patients come to Desert Pain Institute because of general joint pain in the knees, hips and shoulders. One painful joint will most likely lead to additional aches and pains. An example of this is a painful knee joint, which typically causes a person to walk differently (hunched over). This difference strains other joints such as their hips and back, usually resulting in unnecessary pain.
Causes of Joint Pain
- Degenerative changes in the joint (Osteoarthritis)
- Inflammatory changes in the joint (Rheumatoid Arthitis or Gout)
- Injury to the surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments or bursae (bursitis or rotator cuff injury)
Procedures to Treat Joint Pain
- Physical therapy, including braces, etc.
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications
- Injection therapy (corticosteroids or Hyalgan)
The Goals of Treatment are the following
- Avoid or modify activities that aggravate pain
- Relieve pain through pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Maintain joint movement and muscle strength through physical therapy
- Decrease stress on the joints by using braces, splints, or canes as needed
- Correct, control, or slow down the underlying disease process
