Joint Pain Specialist
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CENTERVILLE MEDICAL CENTER
Chuck Osuagwu, MD
Internal Medicine & Adult Care and Primary Care located in Garland, TX
About 15 million Americans, or approximately one in four adults, experience severe joint pain. When left untreated, joint pain can affect your mobility and keep you from living an active life. At Centerville Medical Center, internal medicine physician Chuck Osuagwu, MD, boasts years of experience diagnosing and treating joint pain. To make an appointment at the practice in Garland, Texas, call the office, or click the online booking tool today.
Joint Pain Q & A
What is joint pain?
Joint pain refers to any discomfort, swelling, or stiffness that affects the joints, areas of your body where two or more bones meet. Some of the most common locations of joint pain include the knees, hips, elbows, and wrists.
Most cases of joint pain respond well to conservative, at-home treatments like ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to seek professional help, as they may be due to an underlying health problem like arthritis.
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
Common symptoms of joint pain include:
- Swollen or red joints
- Joints that are tender or warm to the touch
- Mobility issues
- Fever with no signs of the flu
Almost everyone experiences joint pain on occasion, but if your symptoms last for more than three days or they affect your ability to work or exercise, make an appointment at Centerville Medical Center right away.
What causes joint pain?
Joint pain occurs for various reasons. Sometimes, it’s a result of general wear-and-tear from playing sports or exercising. Other times, it’s caused by a more serious health problem. Some of the medical conditions known to cause joint pain include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendonitis
- Infectious diseases like lupus
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
You might also experience joint pain if you develop a bone infection.
How is joint pain diagnosed?
To diagnose joint pain, your Centerville Medical Center provider conducts a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, including when they started and if any activities make them worse, and reviews your health history.
If these steps don’t provide enough information, they might also order X-rays. X-rays use electronic sensors and low amounts of radiation to capture images of your bones and joints. Your provider assesses the X-rays to look for signs of arthritis or a fracture.
If your X-rays don’t reveal anything, your provider might order blood work. Certain blood tests can detect autoimmune disorders or inflammation throughout your body.
How is joint pain treated?
Centerville Medical Center usually recommends conservative treatments to manage joint pain. For example, you might benefit from losing weight, eating a healthier diet, and exercising regularly. If your symptoms persist, your provider might recommend corticosteroid injections or prescription medication.
Sometimes medication and healthy lifestyle changes aren’t enough to reduce joint pain. If your symptoms persist and interfere with your quality of life, surgical intervention may be necessary.
To learn more about the treatment of joint pain, make an appointment at Centerville Medical Center by calling the office, or clicking the online booking tool today.
