Top Causes of Joint Pain and Their Treatments

Joint pain is a common and troubling ailment, affecting people of all ages. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physiatrists take a holistic, nonsurgical approach to relieving joint pain and restoring function. We know that understanding the various causes of joint pain and diagnosing them correctly is crucial to determining effective treatments. Below are the top causes of joint pain we encounter among our patients:

Traumatic Injury

Injuries due to traffic accidents, falls or sports activities can cause acute joint pain and may turn into long-term issues if not properly treated at the outset. Sprains, fractures, and dislocations require prompt medical attention to ensure complete recovery.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones deteriorates due to wear and tear. Extremely prevalent in older adults, it can also occur in younger patients due to overuse or traumatic injury. Osteoarthritis leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Most frequently, it affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Autoimmune Disorders

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system mistakenly attacks the patient’s joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Other autoimmune conditions like lupus and psoriatic arthritis also result in joint pain. These diseases require careful management to reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage.

Illnesses: Flu and COVID

Viruses such as the flu and COVID can cause significant joint pain, along with fever and a host of other symptoms because they trigger inflammatory responses. 

Causes of Joint Pain Specific to the Hands and Feet

Some causes of joint pain target only limbs and extremities. Though they may sound less serious, each of the following can result in disabling pain:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome results from pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. 

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It causes pain and swelling near the base of the thumb, making it difficult to grip or pinch. Both carpal tunnel and De Quervain’s are typically caused by repetitive motion.

Ganglion Cysts

Ganglion cysts are noncancerous lumps that may develop along the tendons or joints of the wrists or hands. They can cause pain, especially when pressing on nearby nerves. 

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the peripheral nerves are damaged, resulting in pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet.

Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT)

TGCT is a rare, benign tumor that affects the synovium, the lining of the joints and tendons, causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. 

Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine’s Broad Range of Treatments for Joint Pain

At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we offer a full spectrum of traditional and complementary treatments for joint pain and have had impressive success combining therapies to accelerate the healing process. Among our therapeutic methods are:

• Physical therapy customized to your particular needs, designed to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and reduce pain. We sometimes administer physical therapy with electrical stimulation.
• Medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and disease-modifying agents for specific conditions.
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain.
• Hyaluronic acid injections to lubricate the knee joints and reduce pain.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Acupuncture to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, alleviate pain, and accelerate healing.
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate cell repair, improve circulation, and help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Prolotherapy involves injecting a solution into the affected joint to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Prolotherapy can strengthen and repair damaged ligaments and tendons, providing long-term relief from joint pain and improving stability. 

The Takeaway

If joint pain is detracting from your quality of life, preventing you from working or engaging in enjoyable activities, now is the time to contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine. Call us to get started on a personalized program to restore your mobility, your health, and your positive outlook.