Living with arthritis joint pain can be a daily struggle, especially when your once infrequent or mild joint pain now seems worse. Frequent stiff, achy, painful joints slow you down, making even the simplest tasks difficult. Rest, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and hot and cold therapy are trademarks of at-home arthritis care. If your self-care is no longer enough to ease your pain and you have to avoid specific tasks, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
Signs It’s Time to Make an Appointment for Joint Pain
It’s easy to brush off worsening arthritis pain, especially if you’re used to dealing with discomfort. But there are definitive symptoms that make it time to see a doctor.
Arthritis Aches and Pains Symptoms
Arthritis can significantly impact daily life, leading to discomfort that varies from person to person. Understanding the symptoms can help in managing the condition effectively. Below are some common signs that may indicate the presence of arthritis.
Persistent Pain
Pain that lasts more than a few days and doesn’t improve with rest or your usual home remedies.[1]
Swelling and Redness
Swollen, red joints could signal infection or inflammation, especially when it’s not your usual aches and pains.[2]
Loss of Motion
You’re finding it more challenging to complete your daily tasks because bending your joints is difficult, or you’ve experienced a loss of flexibility.[3]
Joint Deformity
If you notice changes in the shape or structure of your joints, you need a medical evaluation immediately.[1]
Significant Pain at Night
It’s hard to get comfy with stiff, achy joints, but arthritis pain that keeps you awake or worsens at night must be reported to your healthcare provider.[4]
How to Choose the Right Health Care Provider for Your Joint Pain
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms previously mentioned, it’s time to seek medical advice for your arthritis. You might wonder which type of doctor to see.
Primary Care Physician (PCP): Your PCP is an excellent starting point. Knowing your condition and medical history, they can refer you to the appropriate specialist.[3]
Rheumatologists: These specialists focus on arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones. They are ideal for diagnosing and treating various types of arthritis.[3]
Orthopedic Surgeon: If your condition requires surgical intervention, an orthopedic surgeon can provide options to alleviate pain and improve function.[3]
Pain Management Specialist: You don’t have to live with debilitating pain. If treatment from your PCP or specialty care physician isn’t relieving your chronic arthritis pain, it’s time to find a pain doctor to collaborate with your healthcare team.[5]
Drug-Free Arthritis Pain Management Treatments
While medication offers people living with arthritis pain relief and joint function preservation, there are drug-free, non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments that provide pain relief without surgery or heavy medications.
Here are some options that a pain management specialist may offer for arthritis relief:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy uses your own blood platelets to promote your body’s natural healing and reduce inflammation and pain.
SPRINT PNS: Temporary implant that uses electrical pulses to stop transferring pain messages to the brain. It’s non-surgical, low-risk and minimally invasive.
Fluoroscopic Guided Steroid Injection: This procedure targets knee arthritis pain by using guided imaging to deliver pain—and inflammation-relieving corticosteroids.
Facet Joint Injections: To relieve pain and inflammation, a corticosteroid and an anesthetic are injected directly into the connections between each pair of vertebrae in your spine.
Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injection: This procedure delivers corticosteroids directly into the joint, connecting the spine to the pelvis to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Medial Branch Block: Nerve block that relieves facet joint pain for spinal arthritis.
Joint Medication Injections: Medication is injected directly into the affected joint to relieve pain and inflammation for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Don’t Let Arthritis Slow You Down
Hurting arthritic joints can be frustrating and left unaddressed, can leave you unable to function at the same level you’re used to. But arthritis doesn’t have to control your life. Paying attention to your symptoms and knowing when you need more than home remedies will help you get the care you need. When your healthcare team works together to create a holistic approach, you can effectively manage your symptoms and maintain an active, fulfilling life.
Don’t let joint pain slow you down and keep you from enjoying life! Contact your doctor today to find the right combination of treatments to get you back to living without pain and stiffness.
Resources:
- Bernstein S. When You Need to See a Doctor for OA. WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed February 12, 2024. Accessed June 29, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/oa-when-call-doctor
- Cleveland Clinic Staff. 4 Times to See a Doctor for Arthritis Pain. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published June 9, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2024. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-times-to-see-a-doctor-for-arthritis-pain
- When Joint Pain Means It’s Time to See Your Doctor. Arthritis Foundation [Internet]. Accessed June 29, 2024. Available from: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/when-joint-pain-means-its-time
- Sleep and Pain. Arthritis Foundation [Internet]. Accessed June 29, 2024. Available from: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/fatigue-sleep/sleep-and-pain
- Clinic Cleveland Staff. When to See a Pain Specialist. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Published September 4, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2024. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-to-see-a-pain-specialist
