What Are the Causes of Arthritis Pain?

Arthritis is simply defined as inflammation of the joint. Those with arthritis may experience more than one inflamed joint. There are several different types of arthritis, but the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Joint stiffness and joint pain are the two most common symptoms of arthritis. The pain seems to be the more prevalent, and there are many different causes of arthritis pain, including synovial membrane inflammation, fatigue, muscle strain, and inflammation of tendons and ligaments.

Synovial Membrane Inflammation

The synovial membrane is a tissue lining the joints. When this tissue becomes inflamed, mild to severe pain and stiffness result. In some cases it can limit a person's mobility.

Inflamed Tendons and Ligaments

The tendons and ligaments connected to an affected joint can become inflamed as well. Pain can result from this inflammation. Just like the pain associated with an inflamed synovial joint, it can be mild to severe.

Muscle Strain

Straining the muscles around or near an affected joint can increase arthritis pain. Muscle strain can also lead to a temporary decrease in mobility, which can add to stiffness, which in turn can result in more pain. The increase in pain due to a strained muscle can be mild to severe.

Fatigue

Fatigue can enhance the feeling of pain. Many people with arthritis are older, and therefore experience more fatigue and in turn an increase in arthritis pain. Often, alleviating fatigue can reduce pain associated with arthritis.

Damage, Warmth and Swelling

When an arthritic joint becomes damaged, swollen or warm, more pain can result. Many times the swelling is due to edema (water retention), so taking steps to reduce this factor can reduce the swelling and pain. Warmth may occur in the joints affected with arthritis and often goes away on its own. The damage that causes arthritis pain can be due to a number of things, such as trauma and degeneration. Trauma, such as falls and automobile accidents, can lead to further damage to arthritic joints. Degeneration of joints due to aging can also contribute to damage.

Emotional and Other Physical Factors

Emotional factors such as anxiety and depression are thought to worsen arthritis pain. These conditions can lead to a decrease in pain tolerance and to fatigue, which can worsen arthritis pain. Some individuals are just more sensitive to pain and will automatically experience it more. Some people develop a hypersensitivity to arthritis pain due to tissue injury and inflammation in the affected joints.