Joint pain or inflammation is a common complaint encountered by primary care physicians, especially during the winter season. Frequent questions for the patients center around pain relief and slowing down the progression of the symptoms.
Common symptoms of arthritis are:
- Pain in joints such as hips, knees, hands, or wrists
- Decreased joint movement
- Muscle or joint stiffness
Pain relief can be achieved by one or a combination of the following:
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and improve joint mobility
- Massage to stretch out the surrounding muscles to prevent stiffness
- Acupuncture to relieve joint stress
- Pain medications such as anti-inflammatories or opioids (least favored)
- Joint injections are generally performed by specialists such as orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists
Weight loss can be an effective way to prevent the progression of arthritis as it reduces the burden on the joints hence minimizing the pain.
Arthritis pain can be severe and debilitating in some cases making it challenging to navigate this chronic condition. If you are suffering from joint pain or any other symptoms of arthritis, please discuss with your primary care physician to obtain a proper diagnosis and formulate an appropriate and effective treatment plan for your condition. The team at Katy Fulshear Internal Medicine can help. Call (346) 500-5342 or use our online form to schedule an appointment.
