Joint pain has two main causes — arthritis and injuries like sprains and strains. Rolandine Vaughan, PA-C, MPAS, and her skilled team at Virtually Urgent Healthcare (VUH) in Dacula, Georgia, offer patients access to expert diagnosis and treatment of joint pain through telehealth. To find out more about how telehealth can treat your joint pain, call VUH or book an appointment online today.

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What causes acute joint pain?

Joints are where the ends of bones meet, enabling you to bend your body. Holding everything together are tendons and ligaments (tough connective tissues) that attach muscles to bones and bones to each other.

Bursae (sacs of fluid in the joints) and cartilage (covering and protecting the ends of bones) provide cushioning for these structures.

Acute joint pain could come from injuries to any of these structures. Common examples include:

  • Ankle sprains
  • Anterior cruciate ligament tears in the knee
  • Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder
  • Labral injuries in the hips and shoulders
  • Muscle strains
  • Medial collateral ligament tears in the knee

Dislocations (where a joint comes apart) and fractures (broken bones) also cause acute joint pain. If you think you have a fractured or dislocated joint, visit your nearest hospital for emergency treatment.

What causes chronic joint pain?

Arthritis is the primary cause of chronic joint pain. It has many forms, but the most common is osteoarthritis. This disease tends to affect older people, although it can begin earlier if you suffer trauma to a joint.

Osteoarthritis develops when decades of use cause the articular cartilage covering your bones to wear down. The bone underneath loses its protection, creating friction and pitting. Inflammation results, along with chronic pain, stiffness, and weakness. These symptoms worsen over time.

Another common arthritic condition is rheumatoid arthritis, an immune system disorder. You can also get chronic joint pain from conditions like bursitis (inflammation of the bursae) and tendonitis (inflamed tendons), which typically arise from overuse.

How is joint pain diagnosed and treated through telehealth?

Your VUH provider diagnoses joint pain by asking about your symptoms in detail and viewing any swelling, reddening, or other abnormalities. If they can’t obtain enough information through a telehealth consultation, they might refer you for diagnostic imaging procedures like X-rays.

Treatment for joint pain may vary depending on its cause. Injuries are likely to benefit from:

  • Rest
  • Strapping, splinting, or bracing
  • Applying heat or ice packs regularly
  • Raising an affected arm or leg
  • Pain medicines

Chronic conditions might also benefit from these treatments.

To benefit from compassionate joint pain care, call VUH or book a telehealth appointment online today.