Arthritis and Joints

Painful joints can develop in one or multiple sites depending on the condition causing them. The hip, knee, and shoulder are large joints which are subject to degeneration or soft tissue damage that causes pain. As with most musculoskeletal conditions, treatment begins with physical therapy to correct mechanical conditions that predispose the joint(s) to ongoing damage. Anti-inflammatories and supplements such as glucosamine-chondroitin can be useful, as well as topical medications and bracing. Direct injection of a cortisone medication or a cartilage supplement into the joint can sometimes provide relief of the patient’s pain. Some forms of joint damage can benefit from orthopedic surgery. For knee pain associated with nerve damage to the knee, often after a replacement, numbing of three sensory nerves surrounding the knee using electrical energy generated at a needle tip can effectively provide long-term relief.

Some forms of widespread arthritis are the result of autoimmune disease and are best diagnosed and treated by a rheumatologist. Widespread joint pains can be the result of amplified processing of sensory information in the nervous system called central sensitization, which is thought to be associated with fibromyalgia.