Looking after your joints

About the author of this section

Juliet Gold, an Extended Scope Physiotherapy Practitioner specialising in Knees at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has been qualified as a physio for 16 years and has always had an interest in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems.

Tackling joint pain

Joint pain is commonly caused by wear and tear or injury, but can be caused by conditions like Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis see below for more information about these conditions. The symptoms of joint pain will vary according to the cause and may include joints which are swollen, red and painful to touch and move. Joint pain can, whatever the cause, have a big impact on your day-to-day abilities and your quality of life.

In most cases analgesia, and/or appropriate anti-inflammatory medications along with adequate rest, ice/heat, stretching and strengthening exercises may provide you with relief from symptoms and help you perform routine activities without too much discomfort.

Your doctor may suggest seeing a physiotherapist who will put together a rehabilitation programme involving strengthening and stretching exercises. Exercising under supervision will improve mobility and muscle strength, in turn helping to protect your joints. They will also give you joint protection advice including the importance of weight loss and good, cushioned footwear, and may use heat, ice, acupuncture, TENS, soft tissue massage, strapping or splinting and possibly joint injections to help alleviate symptoms. In the most severe cases, where the joint is irreparably damaged, your doctor or specialist may suggest surgery.

There are also nutritional supplements that some patients find help relieve joint pain.

When joint pain is severe or ongoing you may need to see a doctor or joint specialist to determine the exact cause and identify the most appropriate treatment. Diagnosis is likely to involve a detailed analysis of your medical history and a thorough physical examination. The doctor or joint specialist may request x-rays or imaging procedures such as MRI or CT scans to evaluate the joint.

See below for more general information about Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

It is the most common form of joint disease, where cartilage between the joints is damaged
An estimated 8.5 million people are affected in the UK
It usually develops in people over 45 and is thought to be caused by several factors related to ageing including muscles becoming weaker, increased weight, and our body being less able to heal itself
When a joint develops Osteoarthritis, the cartilage gradually roughens and becomes thin whilst the bone underneath thickens and deforms
New cartilage cells form to try to repair the damage but eventually, bone can be left grinding on bone and tissues around the joints become inflamed
Osteoarthritis usually occurs at the end joints of the fingers, the base of the thumb, the knees, hips, big toes, lower back and neck

Rheumatoid arthritis

It is an auto-immune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks itself, in this case attacking the bodys tissues
About 400,000 people in the UK have swollen, stiff and painful joints caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint membranes become inflamed and cartilage and bone degenerate
It is a chronic, progressive disease and symptoms can include a throbbing, aching sort of pain, which is usually worse in the mornings and after sitting still for a while
Any joint may be affected but it is commonly the hands, feet and wrists

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