What Causes Joint Pain?

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is the irritation or inflammation of tendons, which are thick and fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to bones, in the body. If an individual has tendinitis, they may experience pain in and around their joint. The condition can develop in any tendon throughout the body, but the most common areas for it to occur are the heels, knees, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. The majority of tendinitis cases can be treated with physical therapy, rest, and pain medications. There are some cases where the condition is severe enough to cause rupturing of a tendon. When the tendon ruptures, patients might need surgery to repair it. The pain from tendinitis tends to be described as dull aching, particularly when patients move the affected joint or limb. The joint may be tender to the touch, and affected individuals may experience some mild swelling. The first line of treatment is rest and at-home remedies. However, if symptoms don't improve after a couple of days of rest, patients should see a doctor.

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Arthritis

Arthritis occurs when one or more joints become swollen and tender. The main symptoms are stiffness and pain in the joints, and the pain tends to get worse as patients age. There are more than one hundred kinds of arthritis, but the two most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones wears down over time, which causes the bones to grind painfully together. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means it causes the immune system to attack the joints. The first place rheumatoid arthritis targets is the lining of an individual's joints. If individuals have too much uric acid in their blood, uric acid crystals can form, which can cause gout. Some underlying conditions like lupus and psoriasis can lead to other kinds of arthritis. The treatment of arthritis varies based on the type, severity, and location. In general, the main goal of treatment is to improve the patient's quality of life and reduce their overall symptoms.

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