Joint Care
Understanding arthritis and joint pain.
Joint pain can have many causes. A stepwise evaluation helps match treatment to the diagnosis, symptom severity, and your goals.
When to schedule an evaluation
- Pain limiting walking, lifting, or daily activity
- Stiffness after rest or in the morning
- Swelling, grinding, or reduced motion
- Pain that persists despite basic self-care
- Increasing difficulty with work, sleep, or recreation
Causes & Treatment Paths
Joint pain is a symptom, not one diagnosis.
Examination and imaging help determine whether arthritis, a prior injury, inflammation, tendon trouble, or cartilage damage is responsible.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Cartilage loss can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with walking or stairs.
Shoulder Arthritis
Arthritis may cause deep pain, grinding, stiffness, night discomfort, and loss of motion.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
A prior fracture, ligament injury, dislocation, or cartilage injury can contribute to arthritis years later.
Nonsurgical Care
Exercise, physical therapy, activity modification, medication, bracing, or injections may help selected patients.
Knee Replacement
Partial or total replacement may be considered when advanced arthritis continues to limit function.
Shoulder Replacement
Anatomic or reverse replacement may be considered for selected patients with advanced joint damage.
Evaluation
Evaluation begins with the location and pattern of pain, its effect on daily life, prior injuries and treatment, and an examination of motion, strength, alignment, and stability.
Treatment options
Care is individualized and often begins nonsurgically. When symptoms remain severe and imaging shows advanced joint damage, replacement or another procedure may be discussed.
Additional Patient Education
Trusted independent resources.
Joint pain making daily activities difficult?
Call for appointment scheduling and location information.
This information is for general educational purposes and does not replace an evaluation or individualized medical advice.