Can a Rotator Cuff Injury Heal on Its Own?
A rotator cuff tear is painful and debilitating, but do you really need surgery? Here’s the rundown on rotator cuff injuries and when they need medical care.
3 Sneaky Causes of Joint Pain Besides Arthritis
If you think arthritis is to blame for your painful joints, you’re probably right. After all, over 58 million Americans have some form of arthritis — that’s 1 in 4 — so it’s a likely culprit.
But don’t make a hasty self-diagnosis.
Several other conditions bring similar symptoms, and it takes an experienced specialist to determine the underlying cause. If you have achy joints, bring them to our experts at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
We use the most advanced technology and our years of experience to diagnose your joint pain and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique symptoms.
Here’s a look at three conditions that can mimic arthritis.
1. Tendinitis
If you have dull pain that worsens with movement and tenderness in your joint, you might suffer from tendinitis. Whenever you see the suffix “itis,” it refers to irritation and inflammation — in this case, your tendon, the thick, fibrous cord that joins bones and muscles.
Tendinitis can develop anywhere in your body where muscles connect to bones, usually in the elbows, shoulders, knees, wrists, and heels. Don't ignore mild swelling around your joint, and visit us as soon as possible to treat your tendinitis.
2. Bursitis
If your joint pain and stiffness flare up when you use your shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, heel, or big toe repeatedly, you may be dealing with bursitis.
Bursitis — there’s that “itis” suffix, again — inflames the tiny sacs of fluid called bursae that protect your joints and keep the bones, tendons, and muscles from rubbing against each other.
Although bursitis can strike anywhere, it most commonly afflicts those who repeatedly perform the same motions — think tennis, painting, pitching, and stocking shelves — causing the bursae to become irritated and painful. You may also notice swelling and redness.
3. Fibromyalgia
If unexplainable pain and fatigue throughout your body accompany your joint pain, fibromyalgia may be the culprit.
Fibromyalgia is a sneaky chronic illness that can be challenging to diagnose. It usually triggers symptoms on both sides of the body — especially joint pain — and often includes other problematic issues like brain fog, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, insomnia, mood disorders, and cognitive impairment.
Stop your joint pain
When it comes to joint pain, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
At Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute, Dr. Bryan King and Dr. Jeffrey Cuomo understand that joint diseases require specialized care and offer a range of treatment options, including anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and adjustments to your daily routine.
If you need more advanced relief measures for bursitis, arthritis, tendinitis, or fibromyalgia, joint injections may be helpful.
These joint pain conditions rarely call for surgery, although other underlying problems, such as tendon and ligament tears, fractures, and dislocation, may cause extensive damage that requires surgical intervention.
When surgery is necessary, we use only the most advanced tools and minimally invasive options for a quicker, smoother recovery.
Get to the bottom of your joint pain, and then get rid of it. Call us at 205-391-4440 to schedule an appointment.
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