The pain in your joint can originate in the joint itself or the soft tissues surrounding the joint. Your physiotherapist will do a full assessment to identify the source of the pain. A good clinical examination is essential for this. We would assess the range and quality of movement, strength, local tenderness and nerve issues (some joint pain can be referred from the neck or back).
It is commonly thought that nothing can be done if you have arthritis in a joint but there is an ever-increasing bank of research to show that physiotherapy is equal to or better than surgery or steroid injections (knee, elbow and shoulder). We will refer you on if physiotherapy is not going to be of benefit but the first line of treatment should be strength training, weight loss (for lower limb pain) and joint mobilisations.
There are many causes of joint pain:
- Arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Ligament sprains (most commonly the ankle and inside of the knee)
- Cartilage injuries
- Tendinopathy/tendinitis
- Impingement (e.g. in the hip)
- Referred pain (e.g. sciatica)
