Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Joint Pain

You might be unsure about when to seek medical attention for a joint issue if you experience sudden or persistent pain in your knee, hip, or shoulder. For a while, you might be able to control your pain without medical assistance, but how can you tell whether joint pain indicates a more serious issue that requires attention? This article explains why you shouldn’t ignore joint pain.

When should you seek care for joint pain?

Contact an orthopaedic specialist who specialises in treating diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues if you experience joint discomfort or mobility problems.

Making an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon is frequently the first step in finding relief from joint symptoms. Joint symptoms can be addressed through a variety of treatment options. Among the causes to consult an orthopaedic surgeon are:

• Experiencing new joint discomfort that isn’t going away on its own

• Joint discomfort that has persisted for months or years is chronic.
• Having trouble walking, climbing stairs, or reaching over your head are examples of limited mobility.
• Having trouble shifting positions, such standing up from a sitting position
• Because of your joint discomfort or mobility problems, you’re now using a cane, walker, or wheelchair.
• Extreme agony that can keep you awake at night
• Taking over-the-counter drugs on a regular basis to treat your joint pain
• Alterations to the appearance of a joint, such as a straight leg that is starting to bow
• Delaying joint care can lead to injury and other problems

It’s crucial to maintain good joint health if you suffer from joint pain or mobility problems. In some instances, neglecting joint pain for an extended period of time might exacerbate pain or mobility issues, or even cause a fall or accident.

We anticipate that your joints will survive longer the more proactive you are in keeping them. Early treatment of joint discomfort may postpone or eliminate the need for surgery. If you do require surgery, performing it sooner often results in better results. Every person’s specific circumstances are different, which is why we always advise getting an evaluation with a clinician to better understand your own particular case.

A consultation with your orthopaedic specialist can help you understand all of your options for your specific situation. You and your orthopaedic doctor can work together to:

• Take care of your joint pains and concerns.
• Examine or request imaging, such as an X-ray or an MRI.
• Discuss workouts or other lifestyle adjustments that can help with pain relief and mobility.
• Examine the role of pain medicine.
• Schedule a cortisone injection to help reduce joint discomfort and inflammation.
• Make an appointment for physical therapy.
• Discuss the possibility of joint replacement surgery or another procedure.
• Discuss the hazards and benefits of continuing care vs waiting a certain amount of time.

We hope that the above pointers help you to understand why you shouldn’t ignore joint pain and start taking care of joints more.