When to See a Doctor for Joint Pain or Stiffness

Key Takeaways

• Common causes of joint pain include age-related wear and tear, direct injuries, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and lifestyle factors like weight gain.
• See your doctor for joint pain or stiffness if the joint is swollen or red, you’re in severe pain, you can’t move the joint, it hurts to put weight on your joint, or the joint looks deformed.
• During a doctor’s visit for joint pain, you will likely receive a physical exam, medical imaging like an MRI or X-ray, and laboratory testing to understand the full scope of your condition.
• If you are experiencing mild joint pain or stiffness, consider at-home treatment options and exercises, but more severe pain requires professional medical help.

Introduction

Unfortunately, mild joint pain and stiffness are often just a part of the human experience. Sometimes joint pain can stem from something as simple as slightly overdoing a workout, and stiffness can come from simply waking up in the morning with muscles that tightened up overnight.

However, if your pain or tightness becomes unbearable, is showing signs of more severe injury, or simply can’t be ignored, it’s time to go see your doctor. Understanding when to see a doctor for joint pain or stiffness can ensure you can access the care you need without sitting in discomfort for longer than you have to.

Common Causes of Joint Pain and Stiffness

Joint pain and stiffness may be caused by anything from mild overuse to irreversible age-related conditions. Below are the most common causes. 

Age-Related Wear and Tear

Your joints are the areas in your body where two bones meet and allow for flexibility and movement—to prevent these two bones from rubbing against each other, your body has a combination of fluid and cartilage acting as a cushion between them. However, over time, this cartilage and joint fluid can wear down, leading to friction, inflammation, and discomfort due to conditions known as arthritis.

Injuries

Whether to the joint itself or the muscles surrounding the joint, injuries can lead to swelling, stiffness, and limited joint function and mobility. Potential joint injuries include: 

• Sprains and strains – Overstretched or torn ligaments, known as sprains, and overstretched or torn muscles and tendons, known as strains, can all affect your joints.
• Broken bones – Fractures or broken bones, either within or surrounding a joint, can cause significant joint pain, even in minor cases. 
• Dislocations – If bones in a joint are forced out of their normal position, it will prevent normal function of the joint, cause an inflammatory response, and coincide with pain.

Inflammatory Conditions

Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and gout can all cause joint pain or stiffness. As inflammation swells the joint and the surrounding area, it causes additional friction and pressure against the joint lining and nerves, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can significantly impact your joint health. Common factors that lead to joint pain or stiffness include:

• Inflammatory foods – A diet high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and sodium can cause inflammation and lead to pain in your joints.
• Weight – Being overweight can put additional strain on the joints as you navigate daily activities, which can lead to pain and stiffness.
• Lack of exercise – Not only can a lack of exercise lead to excess weight gain, but it can also cause muscle strength imbalances and stiffness, potentially leading to pain.

When Joint Pain Is Considered Normal

Joint pain is considered normal when it is mild, occasional, and improves with rest or care. Temporary pain that flares up after strenuous exercise or repeated activity may be a normal response to additional activity. If this pain goes away within 1-2 days, it is likely not a cause for concern. 

However, if your pain persists and begins to have negative effects on your quality of life, then your pain is worth seeking medical attention for. Similarly, if normal joint pain starts to become more frequent or happens every time you engage in a particular activity, then you should consult your doctor.

Signs You Should See a Doctor for Joint Pain or Stiffness

While some joint pain may be normal, it’s advisable to see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms. 

1. Pain Lasting More Than a Few Days

If your pain lasts longer than a few days, it is the first sign that there may be an underlying condition, like inflammation or damage to the area, that needs to be addressed. Typically, harmless joint pain will resolve within a day or two. After 3-5 days of joint pain, you should consider consulting your doctor, especially if you do not feel any notable improvement in your pain levels.

2. Pain That Interferes With Daily Activities

Pain that begins to interfere with your daily activities is worth addressing with your doctor, whether it’s walking around the grocery store or handling important tasks at work. Even if you have to stop some of your favorite advanced activities, like sports or casual biking, you shouldn’t have to tolerate pain. Once your quality of life begins to be negatively affected, then it is time to see a doctor who can help you develop a personalized treatment plan.

3. Visible Swelling or Redness

Visible swelling or redness could be a sign of an infection and indicate a broader healthcare concern. Infections not only can be difficult for your body to fight, but also pose the risk of spreading to other parts of the body. A medical provider can help you identify the source of the infection and begin treatment right away to prevent it from getting worse.

4. Joint Instability or Weakness

Joint instability or weakness could be the result of a serious injury, like a muscle tear or fracture, or advanced arthritis. It’s important to address this quickly, before you risk the issue getting worse. A doctor can help diagnose the issue through medical imaging and lab tests before developing a treatment plan for addressing it.

5. Limited Range of Motion

A limited range of motion usually indicates significant swelling within the joint caused by an underlying condition that needs addressing. Only a skilled doctor can assess what is limiting your range of motion and provide the support you need to identify the issue and begin treatment. 

6. Severe or Sudden Pain

Severe or sudden pain is often a sign of direct trauma to the joint and a significant injury. If your pain suddenly increases and becomes severely noticeable, you should visit your doctor, who can conduct medical imaging to assess what damage has happened to the joint to cause the unexpected spike in pain.

7. Fever Alongside Joint Pain

A fever that goes along with your joint pain could be a sign that your body is fighting an advanced infection or struggling to keep up with defending against outside pathogens. A doctor can perform lab testing to diagnose the cause of the infection, provide antibiotics to address it, and develop a plan to prevent future infections.

Conditions That Require Prompt Medical Attention

While some joint pain may call for starting treatment at home, the following are some signs that you may need to see a doctor more urgently.

Suspected Infection

Signs of a potential infection include redness, swelling, and warmth to the touch. An infection can be a serious medical concern that can spread and be indicative of other underlying issues, so you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to begin the necessary treatments.

Gout Flare-Ups

A gout flare-up can cause sudden, severe joint pain, redness, and swelling due to uric acid buildup in or around the joint. While drinking water and applying ice may help, a doctor may prescribe medication and provide more detailed medical advice for severe flare-ups.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation and cartilage damage in the joints, causing pain and discomfort while limiting mobility. A rheumatoid arthritis flare-up may not always require prompt medical attention, but if it is paired with a high fever, a rash, a swollen joint,  or the pain is simply unbearable, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible. 

Fractures or Severe Injuries

Fractures and severe injuries like tendon strains or tears will lead to significant joint pain. Urgent care is crucial for addressing these injuries and preventing them from turning into long-term issues, so you should seek professional medical care immediately to support the joint and address any issues.

What to Expect During a Doctor’s Evaluation

A doctor’s evaluation will seek to be as thorough as possible in understanding the source of your joint pain and narrowing in on the most appropriate treatment plan. Using a multitude of assessments, your doctor will gather a full picture of your joint health.

During a doctor’s evaluation, you can expect some of the following procedures:  

• Physical examination – An initial physical exam will assess your joints for pain, stiffness, and range of motion to narrow down a possible diagnosis. 
• Imaging tests – Imaging tests like MRIs and X-rays can show if there is any damage to the tendons, ligaments, and bones surrounding the joint.
• Lab tests – Lab testing, such as bloodwork, may uncover hidden concerns, such as an infection or severe inflammation.
• Medical history review – A review of your medical history can point to potential likelihood for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune conditions that may be affecting your joint health.

Treatment Options for Joint Pain and Stiffness

Constant joint pain and stiffness call for extra attention for adequate treatment—consider all the following treatment options based on what works for your lifestyle needs.

At-Home Treatments

At-home treatment methods are the first line of support against joint pain and stiffness and can often provide at least some relief. Maintaining consistency is crucial when it comes to at-home treatment. 

Common treatment approaches include: 

• Maintaining a healthy diet – Eating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables may help provide some relief for joint pain. 
• Stretches and exercises – Performing targeted stretches and strengthening exercises can strengthen the muscles around the joints to take some of the pressure off the part of the joint causing pain.  
• Heat therapy – Applying a heating pad to the affected area can increase circulation and loosen the muscles to promote the healing process and reduce pain. 
• Ice – Applying an ice pack regularly can reduce swelling and support the body’s natural healing process.

Keep in mind that at-home treatments are only effective when joint pain is minor and manageable, so be wary if they do not provide results within a few days—it may be time for more advanced interventions. If you consistently try the above methods and do not experience relief, then contact your doctor. 

Professional Medical Treatments

If at-home treatments are not providing relief for your joint pain, then you can move up the ladder to intervention from a medical professional. Your medical provider will start with the least invasive methods and move up from there as necessary.

Depending on your condition, helpful medical treatments may include:

• Chiropractic care to support with stretches and spinal alignment 
• Physical therapy for guided exercises to improve muscle strength and joint health
• Alternative pain management strategies, like electrotherapy or infrared treatment
• Cortisone shots for reducing inflammation in the joint

Your medical provider will work with you to assess the effectiveness of each approach. As they attempt each step, they will advance to a more invasive intervention if you are still not experiencing relief.

When Surgery May Be Considered

Surgery is often only considered as a last resort, but if you’ve tried everything and have been unsuccessful in finding relief, it may be worth consulting a doctor who specializes in joint replacement surgery. After working closely with your primary care provider, they will likely be able to provide a referral to a specialist where you can schedule a consultation. 

Preventing Joint Pain and Stiffness

Not all cases of joint pain and stiffness are preventable, but sustaining healthy habits can go a long way toward reducing your risk. Minimize your risk of joint pain and stiffness with the following strategies:

• Maintaining a healthy weight – Keeping a healthy weight prevents additional strain on the joints. 
• Staying active – Regular physical activity keeps your muscles and joints strong and nimble, while also supporting a healthy weight and flexibility.
• Improving posture and ergonomics – Maintaining a healthy posture sustains balance in the body and avoids putting extra stress on your joints. 
• Strength training and flexibility work – Strength training and flexibility exercises can support your muscles and tendons, easing tension on the joints and minimizing the risk for injuries like strains.

When to See a Specialist

You should see a specialist when your joint pain has been consistent and unmanageable, you experience significant swelling, or you experience reduced mobility of your joint that hasn’t improved with at-home care. A specialist will be able to diagnose the root cause of the problem and recommend a targeted treatment plan.

Seeing a specialist can be beneficial for addressing both acute conditions and chronic conditions that haven’t been managed through at-home treatment methods. Discuss your options and medical needs with your primary care doctor, who can provide guidance on whether you may need more support with a specialist.

Trust the Joint Pain Specialists at Arrowhead Health

If your joint pain becomes severe, persistent, or is accompanied by conditions like swelling or redness, it’s likely time to see a doctor. A skilled medical provider can offer guidance for next steps so that you can address this pain once and for all. 

If you’re dealing with consistent joint pain, find quality joint pain treatment in Arizona at Arrowhead Health Centers. Our friendly and empathetic providers will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and help you find relief. With three locations across Arizona, we make it easy for you to book an appointment when you need one most.

Contact our providers today to schedule your appointment, either the same or next day.

Frequently Asked Questions