More than 92 million people in the United States suffer from joint pain in the form of arthritis, with symptoms ranging from moderate to severe.
While arthritis is by far the most common cause of joint discomfort, it is not the only one.
To help you grasp the situation, here’s a look at the difference between arthritis and joint pain.
Arthritis Signs and Symptoms
Chronic joint discomfort (pain that lasts for weeks or months) may indicate arthritis or joint damage. There are over 100 distinct varieties of arthritis, the most prevalent of which is osteoarthritis, which occurs as a result of joint wear and tear over time.
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Another frequent type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, produces joint damage and degeneration over time, but it is caused by an autoimmune illness in which the immune system erroneously targets the joints.
The following are some of the indications and symptoms of arthritis-related joint pain:
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Range of motion is restricted or reduced
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Differentiating Between Joint Discomfort and Arthritis
It’s critical to remember that joint discomfort and arthritis are frequently linked.
Arthritis technically refers to any ailment that produces inflammation and discomfort in your joints. In truth, the discomfort is frequently caused by the characteristic inflammation of arthritis.
You may have an achy or painful joint without inflammation if you have joint discomfort. This frequently precedes arthritis and is a symptom of a developing condition that will result in inflammation.
Acute joint pain appears quickly and is typically unrelated to an existing ailment or joint injury. Other than arthritis, some of the probable reasons for acute joint pain include the following:
- Bursitis
- Sprains and strains
- Gout
- Traumatic inflammation
- Overuse
Acute joint pain is generally treated with rest, ice, medication, and, if necessary, physical therapy, depending on the underlying cause and severity. Depending on the etiology, acute joint pain generally resolves within a few weeks with self-care and conservative therapy.
Arthritis Has Many Faces
Making matters even more difficult, there are over 100 distinct forms of arthritis.
To make things easier, we’ve divided arthritis-related diseases into four categories:
Degenerative Arthritis
This type of arthritis develops when the soft tissues within your joints begin to deteriorate. Osteoarthritis, a disorder in which the cartilage within your joint wears away, is the most prevalent kind of degenerative arthritis.
Inflammatory Arthritis
This form of arthritis is caused by a malfunctioning immune system, which causes inflammation within your joints. Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are the most frequent types of this type of arthritis.
Arthritis Caused by Bacteria
These forms of arthritis, as the name indicates, are caused by an infection in your body, which causes inflammation and discomfort in your joints.
Metabolic Arthritis
As with gout, the most prevalent form of metabolic arthritis, this kind of arthritis is caused by a problem with your metabolic system.
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Joint Discomfort That Is Not Caused By Arthritis
While the majority of joint pain is caused by one of the various types of arthritis, it can also be caused by:
- Injury (dislocations, fractures, soft-tissue rips) (dislocations, fractures, soft-tissue tears)
- Cancer of the bones
- Fibromyalgia
Again, many of these illnesses cause joint pain and inflammation, but they are not the same as arthritis.
Taking Care of Your Joint Pain
Whatever the cause of your joint discomfort, there are ways to find relief. Depending on the nature of your condition, there are a variety of therapy alternatives, which include:
- Acupuncture
- Injections of cortisol
- Injections into the facet joints
- Therapy with stem cells
- Injections of the bursa
- Injections into the sacroiliac joint
- Blocks of peripheral nerves
- Nerve stimulation in the periphery
- Ablation using radiofrequency
- Bracing at the joints
- Viscosupplementation
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment
Understand Your Risk Factors
Anyone can get arthritis, although certain people are predisposed to it owing to variables such as age, family history, past joint damage or injury, or underlying health issues such as obesity.
It might be difficult to determine if your joint discomfort is caused by inflammation or arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that you keep note of your symptoms, including if the pain and stiffness worsen at certain times of day, after physical activity or rest, and the length of your symptoms.
If your symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or worsen, or you develop additional symptoms such as a fever or rash, get medical assistance as soon as possible.
