Your joints form the connections between two bones and play a pivotal role in helping you perform many tasks. Whether from an injury or an underlying disease, joint pain is common and can affect your quality of life. If you’re suffering with painful joints, board-certified interventional pain management physician Trung Ha, MD, at Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine in Irving, Texas, can devise a treatment plan to alleviate your pain and help you return to your usual activities as quickly as possible. For an evaluation, call the office or request an appointment online today though our contact page.
What is joint pain?
Your joints are made up of several parts, including bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Pain at the joints may result from an injury or disease that affects one or more of these parts.
Pain in the joints can develop slowly over time or happen suddenly after an injury. The pain may be described as being dull or sharp, and it may be constant or exacerbated only while the joint is being used.
No matter the cause or degree of discomfort, if you are experiencing joint pain that is making it hard for you to carry out your day-to-day tasks, contact Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine to schedule an appointment.
What are common causes of joint pain?
Your pain may develop from any number of causes. Arthritis is the most common cause of joint pain and is a chronic condition that generally worsens over time.
Your joints can also develop pain from an injury or overuse that causes:
- Osteoarthritis
- Cartilage degeneration
- Meniscus injury
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Sprain or strain
- Dislocation
- Fracture
Pain that affects the joints can also be a symptom of other pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome.
What can I expect during an evaluation?
You can expect a comprehensive examination when you come to the office with concerns about joint pain. The goal of your evaluation is to identify the cause of your discomfort so the team at Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine can create the most effective treatment plan.
During your evaluation, your provider will review your symptoms and ask about the onset of the discomfort. A focus-based physical exam would be conducted to test the function and strength of the affected joint. Diagnostic testing, such as an X-ray or MRI, may be requested to confirm or rule out any potential causes of your pain.
What are the treatments for joint pain?
Treatment for depends on the underlying cause. Your treatment plan may include:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Weight loss
- Joint injections
- Regenerative medicine (Platelet Rich Plasma & Stem Cell Therapy)
Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine also offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP is a form of regenerative medicine that contains a high concentration of your body’s own healing properties, including platelets, growth factors, and specialized proteins. When injected into your joint, PRP accelerates the healing of your diseased or damaged tissue to improve function and reduce pain.
For expert management of your joint pain from a physician who offers innovative treatments, call Quantum Pain & Sports Medicine today or visit our contact page to schedule a consultation.