WHAT TO DO ABOUT YOUR CHRONIC JOINT PAIN

Everyone experiences joint stiffness and pain from time to time. But what about when it lasts for months at a time and over-the-counter pain relievers just aren’t working? Here, we let you know what you can do about chronic joint pain.

Chronic pain is any type of pain that lasts longer than 3 months. It can come in many forms, including joint pain — which affects about one-third of adults in the United States. Chronic joint pain can make doing everyday tasks difficult, affect your mental health, and decrease your overall quality of life. 

Our team at AZ Ortho in Scottsdale, Arizona, wants you to know that we have treatment options available, so you don’t have to keep pushing through the pain in your day-to-day life. Here’s what you can do about your chronic joint pain. 

Understanding chronic joint pain and its causes 

Joint pain is very broad, and its causes and symptoms can vary from person to person. Patients report pain most commonly in their knees. But the affected joints could also be in your hands, feet, shoulders, hips, elbows, and spine. The pain can feel like stiffness and soreness, or it can be a burning and throbbing sensation. In addition, the pain can come and go, or it can be constant.

Certain factors can put you at a higher risk for developing chronic joint pain, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis

In addition, any type of injury or overuse of the joint can bring about inflammation that increases your chances of developing chronic joint pain. 

Treatment for chronic joint pain 

At AZ Ortho, we offer several different treatment methods depending on what’s causing your pain, where your pain is located, and how severe your pain is. We recommend starting with the most conservative treatment option and then working up from there. 

Conservative treatment options include physical therapy, activity modifications, and over-the-counter pain medications. The next step is minimally invasive methods. For example, corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections minimize inflammation and promote healing. Another option is freezing the nerves that deliver pain signals with an innovative process called cryoanalgesia using the iovera°® system. 

If these options don’t help to relieve your chronic joint pain, surgery could be the next step to correct the issue causing your pain. You and your provider discuss your options to devise the best approach that works for you and your specific health needs.

Compassionate, expert care for your joint pain Living with chronic joint pain doesn’t have to be your reality. We have a treatment method for you regardless of your joint pain or what’s causing it. 

If you’d like to set up a consultation to learn what you can do about your chronic joint pain, call the highly skilled and experienced team at AZ Ortho today at 480-697-4824, or click “Book online” to use our convenient scheduler.