When to Treat Your Bone & Joint Pain, Before it Gets Worse

Each day, we see countless commercials on television touting the benefits of pain medications like Tylenol for arthritis and other aches. But rather than simply popping a pill to mask the problem, isn’t it important to dig deeper and discover what’s really ailing you?

Anyone can experience musculoskeletal pain; and while there are many causes, the most common is injury. Car accidents, sports injuries, falls, fractures, and sprains can all wreak havoc on the joints, muscles, and ligaments – leaving behind pain in their wake. When an injury doesn’t heal properly, chronic pain can ensue.

According to the National Institutes of Health, bone pain is less common than joint or muscle pain. Deep, dull, and penetrating, bone pain is usually attributed to injuries. However, because it is also linked to infection, leukemia, and tumors, physicians should always investigate to make sure these life-threatening ailments aren’t the culprit. According to Healthline.com, many cancers that materialized in the breast, lung, kidney, or thyroid, can intrusively migrate into the bones.

In this modern world, it seems that people are constantly rushing from one place to another. Without a second to spare in these ever-changing times, health and nutrition often fall by the wayside. You may remember to hit the gym for a sweaty cardio session; however, if you aren’t consuming enough vitamin D and Calcium, mineral deficiency such as osteoporosis can arise, putting you on the path toward bone pain – and even fracture.

Another common cause of bone pain is infection, or osteomyelitis. A build-up of bacteria can spread from infected skin and muscle, or through the blood to nearby bones. The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that a weakened immune system, poor blood supply, and recent injury involving bones can all result in osteomyelitis.

While bone conditions aren’t diagnosed as much, if you’re feeling a penetrating pain, you should always ask your doctor about conducting tests. Joint pain is more commonly diagnosed, yet many are unaware of the surplus of causes that can lead to joint pain junction.

If you’re experiencing a stiff, aching sensation, you may be suffering from arthralgia, or joint pain. This condition is commonly associated with arthritis. Our bones are covered with a protective layer of cartilage – designed to absorb shock and vibration – and lubricated with synovial fluid (think of it as the “WD-40” of our body). Arthritis causes this protective shield to wear down, resulting in a painful bone-on-bone sensation and in harsher cases – bone spurs. Consequently, this type of ailment usually feels much worse in the weight-bearing joints (such as the knees), or when strenuous movement is involved.

Many people think of arthritis as a disease that only affects the elderly, but joint pain is also a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Marked by tender and swollen joints, this autoimmune disorder affects over 1.3 million people*, and doesn’t discriminate based on age. It does, however, affect more woman than men.

You know those little black ticks we try so hard to ward off when in the woods or out camping? As it turns out, they can do much more damage than we thought. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, one sign of undiagnosed Lyme Disease is severe joint pain and swelling. Always be sure to brush yourself off after hikes in wooded areas, and wear the proper gear.

While there are many causes of joint & bone pain, there is only one solution: treatment. Don’t waste another second being in pain. While these conditions can seem like somewhat of an enigma, the orthopaedic surgeons at Advanced Bone & Joint are equipped to conduct a series of tests, from imaging technology to bone scans. They’ll discover the root of your problem and help to assess what form of treatment is best suited to you. If you or a family member are suffering, call Advanced Bone & Joint at (636) 229-4222.

*According to Prevention.com