Sudden Joint Pain
Sudden joint pain can be caused by several different types of conditions and injuries, such as arthritis, an infection or a sprain. When joint pain occurs, swelling and discomfort can result. Sudden joint pain can affect more than one joint depending on the diagnosis. To determine exactly what is causing the sudden joint pain, seek medical attention if the pain becomes bothersome or lasts longer than three days.
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Joint Pain Due to Injury
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Joint pain due to injury could be caused by activity or being inactive. The most common joint pains due to injury include bruises, strains, sprains, fractures and pulled or torn ligaments; these generally occur while participating in a sport activity or playing. Some people, including children, can have sudden joint pain from sleeping with an arm straight for a number of hours or possibly lying on that arm for a number of hours without moving it, causing the elbow to become stiff and painful.
Joint Pain Due to a Condition or Disease
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Joint pain can be unknown to the naked eye. People who have unexplained joint pain may be suffering from an underlying condition or disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or Lyme disease. Joint pain caused by a condition or disease may show some swelling and cause muscle stiffness. A physician may request that testing be performed to rule out an underlying condition or disease.
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Signs of Joint Pain
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The No. 1 sign or symptom of joint pain is pain and discomfort. The pain can be mild to severe depending on the amount of activity the person is doing at a given time. During more strenuous activity, the pain may feel severe, whereas when resting there may be little to no pain. Swelling and at times warmth in the surrounding area of the joint can also be a sign of joint pain.
Joint Pain Diagnosis
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To determine what may be causing sudden joint pain, a physician may request an X-ray, MRI or lab work. X-rays can determine if there is a fracture or broken bone within the joint. MRIs can determine why a joint may be swollen; this test is common to diagnose water on the knee. Lab work is also very common to diagnose joint pain, and is ordered to determine if you have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis or Lyme disease, among other conditions.
Joint Pain Treatment
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Physical therapy is a treatment for long-term joint pain. Anti-inflammatory medications are the most common treatment for joint pain. An anti-inflammatory medication can assist in relieving pain and diminishing swelling. Applying hot or cold packs to the affected area also assists in eliminating swelling; cold packs may be advised to prevent a misdiagnosis when viewing an X-ray. Resting and, if possible, keeping the joint that is in pain elevated is also advised by many physicians; this allows the joint to heal without causing further injury due to overactivity.
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