5 Chronic Causes of Long-Term Joint Pain

Occasional achy joints are an undeniable annoyance, but chronic joint pain is downright debilitating. When you consider the complexity of the human joint, it’s easy to understand why injuries, diseases, and orthopedic conditions are so common.

Your joints hold your bones together thanks to a network of ligaments (bone to bone), tendons (muscle to bone), and muscles. Cartilage covers the ends of your bones to make movement smooth and frictionless. A problem with any of the components of a joint can lead to long-term joint pain, especially if you ignore it and don’t seek treatment.

At the Interventional Pain Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Dr. James Stephens specializes in joint pain and related issues, including acute injuries like fractures. However, some conditions become chronic and chip away at your physical and mental health. Here, Dr. Stephens discusses five of the most common causes of persistent joint pain.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is your nerves’ way of telling your brain that one or more components are damaged. Your brain activates healing factors to repair that damage, but it isn’t always successful.

Joint discomfort is most common in hands, feet, hips, knees, and spine. The pain may be constant or come and go. The joints may also feel stiff, achy, or sore, and some people report burning, throbbing, or “grating” sensations. With some conditions, they may feel stiff in the morning but feel better with movement. However, too much activity can make the pain worse.

Pain can impair joint function and limit your ability to perform even basic tasks, so treatment should focus on relieving the pain and improving your quality of life.

5 chronic causes of long-term joint pain

The most common causes of joint pain include:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most common form of arthritis, OA, usually occurs after age 45 and develops slowly as the protective cartilage wears away over years from everyday use. 

2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues in the joints. This leads to swelling and pain, and the joints, especially in the fingers and wrists, become deformed.

3. Gout

Gout is another form of arthritis in which uric acid crystals deposit in the joint space, causing severe pain and swelling. It almost always starts in the joints of the big toe.

4. Bursitis

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that provides lubrication for the joint. It can become inflamed from overuse and is most commonly found in the hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder.

5. Tendinitis

Tendinitis is inflammation of the joint’s tendons, which, like bursitis, comes from overuse. It’s most common in the elbow, heel, or shoulder.

Are you having joint pain and wondering why? The Interventional Pain Center team can diagnose the cause and treat the problem. To set up a consultation with Dr. Stephens, call our office at 405-759-8407 or use our online booking tool today.