Joint Pain Diagnosis
Joint pain, also referred to as joint stiffness or arthralgia, is relatively common and can have many causes. Seek medical advice if your joint pain persists for longer than three days.
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Causes
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Possible causes of joint pain include injury, autoimmune diseases, bursitis, gout, infection, tendinitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnostic Questions
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Your doctor may ask you how long your joint pain has existed, whether it is sudden or slow, whether it is constant, whether you have had a recent illness, whether moving the joint reduces or increases the pain, and whether there is any numbness.
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Diagnostic Tests
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Your doctor may perform diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and blood tests.
Home Care
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Resting and exercise are both important in treating joint pain. Take warm baths, massage the joint, take anti-inflammatory medicines, and stretch.
Warning
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Seek medical attention if you have a fever, unintended weight loss, or if your joint pain is severe.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic
