Joint Pain Specialist

What causes joint pain?

Joint pain can happen for several reasons, with some common causes including:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for joint pain. This form of arthritis causes your hyaline cartilage — the slick cartilage that coats the end part of your bones — to break down. This allows the bones, and the nerve endings inside them, to rub together and cause serious pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the synovial tissue on the inside of your joints swells. This inflammatory joint disease can cause bone breakdown and joint deformity, leading to joint pain. 

Infection

Infection within a joint can lead to changes in the bone, which in turn causes joint pain. 

Mechanical issues

If your hip, knee, or other joint doesn't function properly due to ligament, tendon, or muscle problems, it can lead to serious joint pain. 

Other issues can cause joint pain, including bone dislocation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, gout, fibromyalgia, and bursitis. 

When should I see an orthopedic specialist about joint pain?

The telltale signs that it's time to see an orthopedic specialist for joint pain include:

• Severe pain
• Pain with joint warmth 
• Pain with joint swelling
• Pain with joint stiffness
• Pain with restricted joint movement
• Pain with changes in your joint appearance (deformity)
• Pain with joint instability

The board-certified orthopedic doctors at Valdosta Orthopedic Associates are joint experts who can get to the bottom of your pain and help you feel better. 

Do I always need surgery for joint pain?

Joint pain doesn't always require surgery. 

Conservative therapy

In many cases, conservative therapy such as rest, physical therapy, bracing the affected joint, and oral medication can significantly reduce your pain and other joint issues. Shockwave therapy and electrical stimulation may also help with some types of joint pain.

Injections

Should the most conservative options fail, the Valdosta Orthopedic Associates team may recommend steroid injections to quickly reduce inflammation and pain for as long as a few months. Another option is viscosupplementation (joint lubricating) injections. These non-surgical treatments may help you avoid or put off surgery for a long time. 

Surgery

If severe joint damage causes your pain, you could need either arthroscopic surgery or joint replacement. Arthroscopic surgery repairs damage and removes tissue that's causing your pain, while joint replacement gives you a new artificial joint.

Valdosta Orthopedic Associates provides all joint pain treatments in their on-site facility, including outpatient surgery. 

Find out how easy joint pain relief can be by calling Valdosta Orthopedic Associates or booking an appointment online.