- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) both cause joint pain and stiffness. These conditions are the result of inflamed joints. When the lining of the joint, which is called the synovium, becomes inflamed this results in pain and stiffness, according to Progressivehealth.com. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder; osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear form of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage at the joint degenerates over time. Bone spurs can develop.
- Joint pain and stiffness are no laughing matter. RA and OA pain can be incapacitating for some people, according to Dr. Bruce Solitar, a rheumatologist at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. It is important for a doctor to determine what the specific cause of joint pain and stiffness is so appropriate treatment can be given. If a patient has OA, which is a condition that afflicts close to 27 million Americans, this will cause swelling, pain and stiffness, and it can limit a person's ability to move. RA afflicts nearly 1.3 million American adults, according to Dr. Solitar. This condition is systemic, meaning that it spreads through the body, following the immune cells into the bloodstream. RA can cause disfigurement in your hands and feet.
- Another condition that can result in joint pain and stiffness is bursitis, which involves inflammation around the joint rather than inflammation of the joint itself. When the bursa, which are fluid-filled sacs located near the joints, become inflamed this causes tenderness, pain and stiffness.
Gout can result in pain in stiffness. This condition occurs when there is a buildup of uric acid in the body. This results in the formation of crystals that deposit in the joints and lead to inflammation. Gout generally strikes one joint at a time and it often strikes the big toe, but it can spread if it isn't treated. - If you are suffering from any of the following conditions you may be experiencing joint pain and stiffness: influenza, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr viral syndrome, chondromalacia patellae, chicken pox, German measles, mumps, Lyme disease, parvovirus or rheumatic fever.
- Dr. Todd B. Nippoldt of the Mayo Clinic notes that hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid, can make you hurt. Many menopausal women suffer from this condition. When your thyroid is sluggish, this can cause pain and stiffness, particularly in the hip and shoulders, and swelling in the hands, feet and knee joints. If hypothyroidism goes untreated, Dr. Nippoldt points out that it can lead to other medical conditions such as RA.
- If you are suffering from joint pain and stiffness discuss this with your physician. There are numerous ways to go about treating it, some of which you can do on your own. Applying a cold pack or a heat pack to the stiff area may relieve pain. Taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Ibuprofen will help. Some patients take narcotics for the pain as well as corticosteroid medications that suppress inflammation. Natural supplements such as chondroitin can be helpful. Exercise will help you maintain bone strength as well as strengthen the muscles around your joints.
