What are Joint Pains

Joint pains can be caused by many things. It is likely to go away if you follow instructions from your doctor for taking care of yourself at home. Sometimes, you may need more treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If told, put ice on the painful area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• If told, put heat on the painful area. Do this as often as told by your doctor. Use the heat source that your doctor recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
  • Take off the heat if your skin gets bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.
• Move your fingers or toes below the painful joint often. This helps with stiffness and swelling.
• If possible, raise (elevate) the painful joint above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down. To do this, try putting a few pillows under the painful joint.

Activity

• Rest the painful joint for as long as told. Do not do things that cause pain or make your pain worse.
• Begin exercising or stretching the affected area, as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what types of exercise are safe for you.

If you have an elastic bandage, sling, or splint:

• Wear the device as told by your doctor. Take it off only as told by your doctor.
• Loosen the device if your fingers or toes below the joint:
  • Tingle.
  • Lose feeling (get numb).
  • Get cold and blue.
• Keep the device clean.
• Ask your doctor if you should take off the device before bathing. You may need to cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These include cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have pain that gets worse and does not get better with medicine.
• Your joint pain does not get better in 3 days.
• You have more bruising or swelling.
• You have a fever.
• You lose 10 lb (4.5 kg) or more without trying.

Get help right away if:

• You cannot move the joint.
• Your fingers or toes tingle, lose feeling, or get cold and blue.
• You have a fever along with a joint that is red, warm, and swollen.

Summary

• Joint pain can be caused by many things. It often goes away if you follow instructions from your doctor for taking care of yourself at home.
• Rest the painful joint for as long as told. Do not do things that cause pain or make your pain worse.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.