09/12/2023
What is joint pain and swelling?
- Swollen joints happen when there is fluid in the tissues around the joints. It can be very uncomfortable and can make it difficult to move the affected joints. In some cases, swelling may cause affected joints to increase in size or appear to be an odd shape.
- Joint pain and swelling can affect more than one joint at a time. The most common joints to be affected by pain and swelling are elbows, wrists, shoulders, the base of the spine, knuckles, hips, knees, or ankles.
- There are two types of joint pain and swelling: acute and chronic. Acute joint pain and swelling come on quickly and last a short time, for example, if you have an injury. Chronic joint pain and swelling come on slowly and cause long-term problems. This is more likely to be caused by an underlying condition such as a type of arthritis.
What causes joint pain and swelling?
- Acute joint pain usually comes on quickly and lasts a short while. Some frequent causes of acute joint pain include:
- injuries, such as sprains and strains
- overuse of the joint
- an infection
- other illnesses, such as the flu or COVID-19
- Chronic joint pain and swelling may be caused by a 'rheumatic' condition — a condition that affects your joints, bones, and muscles. There are more than 200 different kinds of rheumatic conditions, including arthritis, gout, and lupus.
- The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
How are joint pain and swelling treated?
- Acute joint pain, such as strains and sprains, can usually be helped by the PRICE method:
- Protect the joint area from further damage or harm.
- Rest the joint — avoid activities that cause pain.
- Ice the joint for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours — make sure the ice is wrapped up so it doesn’t touch your skin.
- Compress the joint with a bandage that is firm, but not tight.
- Elevate the joint above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.