Does Joint Pain Equal Arthritis?

Joint pain is often more common as a person ages, but does joint pain equal arthritis? In a manner of speaking, yes, because arthritis is just a generic term that means “swelling of the joints.” So technically, if your joint pain is caused by any kind of inflammation, it’s probably arthritis, but with more than 100 types of known arthritis, it’s important to determine what is really going on. Whether or not your joint pain is because of arthritis, it may warrant a visit to Specialty Orthopaedics. Joint pain is not something you just have to live with because you’re getting older.

Why Do My Joints Hurt?

There are a number of conditions that can cause you to have inflammation in your joints. Some of these conditions should not be ignored because they can lead to further health complications. Many people assume it’s just age causing their pain, medicate with over-the-counter analgesics, and go on about their lives not realizing that they could be treating the specific disease and alleviating most of the symptoms. Common conditions that can cause joint pain include gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even depression.

Treatment for Joint Pain

Depending on your diagnosis, there are a variety of different treatments for joint pain. If you have gout, for example, there are medicines you can take to reduce your uric acid levels and prevent a flareup. Pain medication with anti-inflammatory properties, such as ibuprofen, may be helpful. But lifestyle changes, like exercising more, losing weight, consuming less alcohol, and proper footwear can also have a dramatic impact on the amount of joint pain you experience. There are also innovative treatments available to treat joint pain, such as PRP Therapy, Viscosupplementation Treatment, and stem cell therapy.

If you are suffering from joint pain, our New York orthopedic practice is home to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedists in a variety of specialty areas. We offer comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in a caring and responsive clinical atmosphere. Give us a call at 914.686.0111 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your appointment today.