Joint Pain Specialist
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West County Rheumatology
Rheumatologists located in Saint Louis, MO
Your joints are complex parts of your body that allow you to move freely and comfortably. If you feel pain in your joints that persists beyond home care or inhibits your movement, the team at West County Rheumatology in Saint Louis can assess your joint pain and find the cause so treatment can begin. Request your appointment with Sona Kamat, MD, FACR, or another member of our team, by phone or online today.
Joint Pain Q & A
What is joint pain?
Joint pain is classified as any discomfort, inflammation, or achiness around your joints, or where your bones meet. The pain can stem from the ligaments or tendons surrounding your joint or wear and tear of the bones and cartilage.
Joint pain often comes with symptoms beyond the discomfort. You might notice:
- Warmth to the touch
- Swelling around the joint
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Immobility
- Locking into place
These symptoms may worsen the more you move your joints or use the muscles around them.
What’s causing my joint pain?
Joint pain has a long list of possible causes. Sometimes they’re immediately apparent, like if you recently finished an intense workout or if you fell down the stairs and felt pain after landing on your elbow. Other times, you may need the help of a doctor to identify a cause.
Joint pain often occurs due to:
- Overuse
- Injuries
- Infections
- Arthritis
- Bursitis (inflamed cushions around your joints)
- Tendinitis (inflamed tendons around your joints
- Lupus
- Osteoporosis
Patients who are overweight are more likely to experience joint pain. Your physician at West County Rheumatology may advise you to lose weight as part of your joint pain treatment plan.
How can I relieve my joint pain at home?
Many types of joint pain go away or lessen with simple home care strategies. These steps may help to ease your pain:
- Nonprescription pain relievers
- Rest
- Heat from a hot pad, bath, or shower
- Ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes at a time
If the joint pain goes away using these strategies, it is likely nothing to worry about.
When should I see a doctor for my joint pain?
Pain that persists or doesn’t have an easily identifiable cause may call for an assessment at West County Rheumatology. You should try home care first, but if the pain continues after one week, you may need professional intervention.
If you were injured and you can’t use your joint or if it looks deformed, you must go to the emergency room first. If the joint pain comes with a fever, make an appointment at West County Rheumatology as soon as possible.
If you’re concerned about your persistent or severe joint pain, call West County Rheumatology or request an appointment online today.
