Joint Pain - Arthritis Pain - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment

Human joints are where the ends of two bones come together, allowing for movement.

There are two basic types of pain -- acute pain and chronic pain. Arthritis is chronic pain.

There's more to know about pain than the fact that it hurts. Do you know the difference between acute and chronic pain? Do men and women respond to pain differently? How many older people take a painkiller on a regular basis? What is R.I.C.E.? Are there any non-drug pain relievers? How much do you know about pain?

How much do you know about relieving pain? Pain serves as the signal that something is wrong in the body. There are many pain relieving techniques which can be tried. Do you know about the various pain treatment options? Take the Pain Relief Quiz.

A step-by-step look at knee pain caused by arthritis.

Sacroiliac joint pain is among the common causes of mechanical low back pain. It's not known why sacroiliac joint pain develops and causes back pain. Learn more about sacroiliac joint pain.

Most forms of arthritis are associated with pain that can be divided into two general categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is temporary. Chronic pain, such as that seen in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can last a lifetime. Learn more about arthritis pain in this 10 part Q and A.

Pain can interfere with daily living. It is important to manage pain and minimize its negative impact. Do you take actions which control your pain or do some of your habits and routines actually increase your pain level?

Hand damage and deformity caused by arthritis can include nodules, swelling, stiffness, ulnar drift, contractures, and other problems. Photos of hands damaged by arthritis.

You can lessen arthritis pain and preserve your joints by following joint protection techniques and principles.

Advice about good body mechanics and assistive equipment to help you avoid further damage to your joints.

When are muscle relaxers appropriately prescribed for arthritis patients? How do muscle relaxers work? Are muscle relaxers a short-term treatment or can they be part of a long-term maintenance regimen for arthritis patients to control aches and pains?

Ankle braces can support, stabilize, and limit range-of-motion of the ankle joint.

Arthritic, weak, or injured ankles can benefit from additional support. Support braces and wraps are readily available.

Arthritis creams can be effective for soothing minor arthritis and muscle pain. Some contain the active ingredient salicylate while others are based on the pain-relieving effect of capsaicin or menthol.

Proper posture can relieve strain on back muscles. Backrests, cushions, and specially designed pillows offer the necessary support.

Elbow pain from arthritis can be very debilitating. Elbow supports can lessen the pain and protect the joint.

Scooters make up for impaired mobility. Arthritis of the hip, knee, foot, ankle, or spine can make walking very difficult. Back problems also interfere with mobility. Have you considered an electric scooter to compensate for mobility problems?

Walking can aggravate painful arthritis in the feet. Insoles and cushions for the feet can offer additional support and provide comfort.

Reusable gel packs for heat or cold therapy, used to reduce arthritis pain and muscles aches, are convenient products to have in your house.

Stabilizing and reinforcing the knee joint is important for people with arthritis of the knee. Knee supports can help with joint protection and pain reduction.

Heating pads soothe painful, aching arthritic joints. Dry heat, moist heat, or microwaveable wraps offer relief.

Wrist splints, wraps, and stabilizers for more support.

Pain is broadly categorized as acute or chronic. Acute pain is easier to diagnose and treat than chronic pain. Chronic pain is a lot more complex. An excerpt from Healing Pain explains the different types of pain with a closer look at chronic pain.

Osteophytes are also commonly known as bone spurs. Osteophytes develop in deteriorating joints damaged by arthritis.

Repetitive motion disorders are a family of muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or daily activities.

Repetitive stress injuries include a large group of conditions that primarily affect the soft tissues, including the nerves, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

Joints are areas where two or more bones come together. If a sudden impact injures a joint, the bones that meet at that joint may become dislocated (not connected). It may be hard to tell a dislocated bone from a broken bone. Both are emergency situations.

Compartment syndrome involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space, leading to impaired blood flow and nerve damage. Compartment syndrome is most common in the lower leg and forearm, although it can also occur in the hand, foot, thigh and upper arm.

Sciatica is a condition involving impaired movement and/or sensation in the leg, it occurs when there is damage to the sciatic nerve, located in the back of the leg. Sciatica is a form of peripheral neuropathy. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg and the sole of the foot.