Joint Pain

Joint pain can limit your ability to perform everyday tasks. MaineHealth has services to help control pain and get you back on schedule.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain often is caused by injuries, but also can be a symptom of certain medical conditions:

• Arthritis

• Bone cancer

• Bursitis

• Gout

• Lupus

• Lyme disease

• Fibromyalgia

• Osteoarthritis

• Osteomyelitis (bone infections)

• Pregnancy

• Septic arthritis (joint infections)

• Tendinitis

Ask your doctor how to avoid joint pain and treat symptoms of your condition.

Diagnosing joint pain

Doctors will perform a physical examination to evaluate the pain. Patients should expect to answer questions about their discomfort and pain.

Certain tests can help diagnose joint pain. X-rays can be taken to get an image of the bone or joint in question. Blood tests can help determine if autoimmune disorders are present.

Be sure to tell your doctor your symptoms and what activities affect your joint pain.

Rest and exercise can help relieve joint pain

For some people, easing joint pain can be as simple as resting the body or doing certain exercise. Swimming and walking can allow people with physical limitations from joint pain to get their daily physical activity. Heat or ice can help relieve the pain as well. Use a heating pad or take a bath to increase circulation and relax your muscles. Ice the painful joint for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce swelling.