Joint Pain Specialist

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is a feeling of discomfort in your joints – the places where two bones meet. Joints are made up of bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Common joints include your knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, neck, elbows, and wrists. 

Joint pain can occur because of wear-and-tear due to aging, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or other injuries. Treatment at North of Atlanta Pain Clinic can offer relief.

What are the symptoms of joint pain?

Common signs and symptoms associated with joint pain include: 

• Aching
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Limited mobility

Joint pain ranges in severity from mild to severe and, in some cases, debilitating. Seeking treatment is the best way to prevent further joint damage, reduce pain, and enhance your quality of life.

What are the risk factors for joint pain?

Common joint pain risk factors include:

• Obesity
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Family history of arthritis
• Previous joint problems
• Older age
• Playing sports
• Overtraining
• Poor dietary habits
• Joint inflammation

To reduce your risk of joint pain, seek treatment for chronic diseases, train and warm up properly before athletic events, maintain an ideal weight, eat nutritious foods, and adopt other healthy habits. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in access. 

How does my doctor diagnose the cause of joint pain?

To find the cause of your joint pain and develop an effective treatment, North of Atlanta Pain Clinic specialists review your symptoms and medical history. They examine your joints during a physical exam and may recommend specific diagnostic tests. Examples include blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid testing, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging procedures.

What are common joint pain treatments?

Depending on the type and severity of the joint pain you experience, your pain management specialist may suggest one of the following treatments:

Home remedies

Home remedies that can decrease joint pain include healthy weight management, heat or ice packs, compression, and wearing a brace.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy, which includes strength exercises, flexibility training, and massage in some cases, can alleviate joint discomfort. 

Medications

Taking medications can reduce joint inflammation, discomfort, and the risk of further joint deterioration. 

Regenerative medicine

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your blood and stem cell injections allow your body to generate new cells and enhance its natural healing ability.

Joint injections

Hyaluronic acid and steroid injections can reduce inflammation, lubricate your joints, and relieve your discomfort.

Surgery

If you experience severe joint deterioration or an injury, your pain specialist may suggest surgery to remove, repair, or replace joint tissues and restore a joint’s structure and function.

Arthritis treatments

Arthritis is a common chronic disease that causes inflammation and swelling in your joints. Common arthritis treatments include medications, joint injections, regenerative medicine, and surgery in some cases.

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatments

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by pressure on your median nerve. It can lead to tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm or hand. Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome often include joint injections, noninvasive ultrasound therapy, or minor surgical procedures. 

Don’t live with debilitating joint pain when simple treatments can restore your quality of life. Call North of Atlanta Pain Clinic to schedule an appointment or book one online today.