Joint pain got you down? It can make everyday tasks feel harder, affect your mood, sleep and ability to do things you love. If pain lingers or gets worse, it may be time to look at treatment options.
Many people wait too long to get help. But acting early can protect your joints, reduce pain and give you more choices for care. We spoke with Nathan Hawkins, PA-C, a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery at Banner Health, to gain a better understanding of your options.
What happens if you ignore joint pain?
If your joint pain has lasted more than a few weeks, don’t ignore it. Chronic joint pain may be a sign of a condition such as arthritis, inflammation (swelling) or joint damage that requires attention.
Ignoring pain can lead to long-term problems. Over time, untreated joint pain can cause further wear and tear, resulting in a loss of movement and strength.
“Getting help for joint pain early on helps maintain your mobility, decrease potential swelling and maintain your range of motion,” Hawkins said. “Getting help now may prevent further damage and help you stay active longer.”
What are the non-surgical treatment options for joint pain?
“Many people find relief from joint pain without surgery,” Hawkins said. Conservative treatments can help lower inflammation, reduce swelling and enable you to move more easily.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy helps build strength and stability around your joints. It can improve balance and teach you safer ways to move. Therapy is often a good first step for people with joint pain.
Learn more about Banner Health’s physical therapy services.
Medications
“Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage symptoms like swelling and joint pain,” Hawkins said.
These include:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Prescription anti-inflammatories
- Oral steroids (short-term inflammation control)
Other medicines that may help relieve pain include antidepressants, antiseizure drugs and muscle relaxants.
Hot and cold therapy
Using hot and cold therapy also helps reduce pain and swelling. Ice can numb sore areas and slow inflammation. Heating pads relax muscles and improve circulation (blood flow).
Low-impact exercise
Exercise, especially low-impact workout routines, can help get back strength and function. Walking or swimming is best.
Massage
Massage therapy can ease muscle tension around painful joints and improve blood flow.
Orthotics
Devices like braces, splints and shoe inserts may help relieve joint pain by shifting weight away from the damaged area.
Weight loss
If you’re carrying extra weight, even losing a small amount can ease pressure on your joints — especially in the knees, hips and lower back. Weight loss may reduce pain, improve mobility and slow down joint damage.
Talk with your health care provider or a registered dietitian about safe and healthy ways to lose weight.
Joint injections
If other treatments don’t provide relief, joint injections may help.
“A steroid injection is a combination of a potent anti-inflammatory mixed with a numbing agent,” Hawkins said. “This helps relieve joint inflammation while giving quick pain relief.”
Another option (especially for knee problems) is a hyaluronic acid injection, also known as a rooster comb injection. “Hyaluronic acid is a lubricant for the knee,” Hawkins said. “It hydrates the remaining cartilage and helps the joint move more smoothly.”
Some people also ask about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP uses a sample of your blood to help encourage healing in the joint. While some find relief, it is still considered experimental and results can vary. Talk to your health care provider if this could be an option for you.
What surgical options are available to relieve joint pain?
If nonsurgical treatments no longer help, surgery may be the next step.
“The decision to move forward with surgery often happens when pain is affecting your ability to enjoy life or you're losing range of motion,” Hawkins said. “Imaging, like X-rays or MRIs, can help show if there’s joint damage or bone loss, which may also lead to a surgical recommendation.”
There are many types of surgery, including arthroscopy, fusion, osteotomy and joint replacement.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a surgeon makes two or three small cuts (incisions) to look inside the joint. They use a small camera to remove damaged tissue, loose cartilage or bone chips (fragments).
Joint fusion (arthrodesis)
In this procedure, two bones in the joint are fused together. This removes the joint entirely, which means you lose some movement but gain more stability and pain relief. Fusion is more common in smaller joints, such as the wrist, ankle or fingers.
Osteotomy
In some cases, the surgeon may cut and reposition the bone to take pressure off a damaged joint. This is often used in younger patients or when joint damage is only on one side. Osteotomy may help delay joint replacement.
Joint replacement surgery
“Joint replacement surgery is an option for people who have attempted and failed conservative treatments,” Hawkins said. “It’s generally time when pain is affecting daily activities or there’s a loss of range of motion.”
There are two types of joint replacement: total joint replacement and partial joint replacement. A surgeon replaces parts of your bone with artificial joints made from metal or plastic. This procedure can be performed on the hip, knee and shoulder joints.
Today’s joint replacements are often performed using robot-assisted or minimally invasive techniques for improved accuracy and faster healing.
What is recovery like after surgery?
Recovery can take time. “You should expect some level of post-operative pain and swelling,” Hawkins said. “There may be wound care and, depending on the joint, some limits on movement or weightbearing.”
The best way to speed up recovery and improve outcomes is to follow your provider’s instructions, such as managing incisions, icing and taking medications correctly. Hawkins also recommends preparing ahead.
“Having the right equipment and staying as strong as possible before surgery gives you the best chance for a speedy recovery,” he said.
Takeaway
Joint pain doesn’t have to control your life. The sooner you seek care, the more treatment options you have — and the better your chances of avoiding severe joint damage.
If you have joint pain, take this test to learn more about your own joint health.
Schedule an appointment with a Banner Health joint care specialist near you.
