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.
What Could Be Causing My Joint Pain If I Don't Have Arthritis?
While the most common cause of joint pain is arthritis, not every swollen knee or stiff elbow is the result of an arthritic condition. You could have a different problem altogether, and it’s important to have a joint specialist who explores all avenues to arrive at the right diagnosis, not just the most likely one.
At Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute in Northport, Alabama, Bryan King, MD, is dedicated to comprehensively exploring all possible causes for your discomfort. He looks for the true source of your joint pain so he can recommend appropriate and effective treatment.
Top causes of joint pain after arthritis
If it’s not arthritis, what could it be? Here are the top three likely culprits that could be responsible for your joint pain:
Bursitis
Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion, such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, heel, or base of your big toe. It's a painful condition that occurs when the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae — which cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints — become inflamed.
Symptoms of bursitis include:
- Aching or stiffness in the joint
- More pain when you move or press on the joint
- Swelling and/or redness
Tendinitis
Your tendons are the thick fibrous cords that attach your muscles to your bones. Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, usually where it attaches to a joint. It can occur in any of your tendons and commonly affects areas around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels.
Symptoms of tendinitis include:
- A dull pain worsening with movement
- Tenderness where the tendon attaches to the joint
- Mild swelling around the joint
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a painful chronic illness that has many symptoms, including joint pain. Fibro is typically diagnosed only when symptoms happen on both sides of the body. Women are more likely to have fibromyalgia than men.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Widespread pain, including joint pain
- Fatigue and brain fog
- TMJ pain (in the joints of the jaw)
Treatment of your joint pain
The appropriate and most effective treatment for your joint pain depends on what caused it. Our team at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute specializes in joint diseases. Dr. King focuses on proper diagnosis followed by targeted care to help you get relief from your pain.
Potential treatments at Dr. King’s disposal include:
- Anti-inflammatories
- Lifestyle and activity changes
- Physical therapy
- Joint injections
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Joint replacement
Are you ready to get control of your joint pain? Call us at the Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute today.
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