As you get older, your joint health changes, making it more difficult to go about your daily routine without discomfort or pain. Joint pain is a common cause of disability, and Jerome Carter, MD, offers comprehensive care to help you maintain your quality of life. With an office in Baytown, Texas, Advanced Pain Management Specialists can help you avoid surgery and find relief from chronic joint pain. Learn more about your options for treatment by calling the office closest to you or by booking a consultation online today.
What causes joint pain?
Joint pain can be the result of an underlying disease, injury, or progressive degeneration due to aging. Common causes of joint pain include:
- Arthritis
- Inflammation
- Fibromyalgia
- Lyme disease
- Thyroid disorder
When joint pain and related symptoms interfere with your ability to work or enjoy your personal life, schedule a diagnostic evaluation.
What are the symptoms of joint pain?
Joint pain can range from mild aches to chronic, severe pain that affects your mobility and functionality.
Pain can affect any joint in the body, but it’s most common in the joints of your:
- Hips
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Knees
- Shoulders
In addition to pain, you may experience significant swelling in the affected area and your skin may feel warm and tender.
If left untreated, diseased or damaged joints can result in permanent deformities.
How is joint pain diagnosed?
Dr. Carter first reviews your medical history and your symptoms to determine what may be causing your joint pain. They conduct a physical examination to evaluate your joint flexibility and discover which movements worsen your pain.
To rule out underlying conditions and confirm your diagnosis, you may need to undergo imaging tests, such as an X-ray, or blood tests.
Once they understand your diagnosis, Dr. Carter creates a custom treatment plan to help address your pain and prevent the likelihood of surgery.
What treatments are available for joint pain?
If rest and over-the-counter medications aren’t enough to ease your pain, Dr. Carter may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your joint.
When you need to address pain quickly, Dr. Carter may prescribe joint injections that contain anesthetic medications. By delivering pain-relieving medications directly to the affected joint, you can get immediate relief of pain and also enjoy increased mobility.
To prevent a worsening of your joint pain, it’s important to stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight. This reduces unnecessary pressure on your joints and can lessen your risk for needing surgery.
Find out more about treatments available for joint pain by calling the office nearest you today. You can also schedule a consultation conveniently online.