Joint Pain: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Relieving Your Joints

Joint pain can limit walking, sleep, and daily activities. In a study conducted at 12 British primary care clinics, one in seven visits was related to muscles, bones, or joints ¹. Whether it affects your knees, hips, shoulders, or hands, pain deserves treatment tailored to its cause. This guide explains possible causes, how to distinguish between them, when to seek medical attention, and available treatments. For osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, exercise and education are among the first recommended treatments. A physical therapist can support you in these ^{treatments2, 3}. Our comprehensive guide to physical therapy explains this discipline. Our guide to physical therapy for joint pain explains the treatment process.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain refers to pain felt in or around a joint. The medical term is “arthralgia.” In Canada, a study followed 8,817 people between 1994 and 2011. People from more recent generations reported higher rates of arthritis at the same age. Higher body weight was associated with an earlier onset of arthritis ⁴. These associations do not allow us to attribute every instance of pain to weight or age.

Several tissues can contribute to pain: the synovial membrane, which lines the inside of the joint; the capsule that surrounds it; the ligaments that connect the bones; and the bone beneath the cartilage. These tissues contain nerve endings. Cartilage, which covers the ends of the bones, does not contain any. The pain associated with osteoarthritis also depends on the muscles surrounding the joint and how the nervous system processes the signals ⁵.

L’arthralgie désigne un symptôme, alors que l’arthrite implique une inflammation de l’Joint. L’arthrite peut causer de la douleur, un Swelling, de la chaleur ou une rougeur. Ces signes ne sont pas tous obligatoires. L’échographie produit des images grâce à des ondes sonores. Dans une étude sur la polyarthrite rhumatoïde, cet examen a montré une inflammation de certaines articulations sans douleur à la palpation ni Swelling à l’examen. La palpation consiste à examiner une zone en la touchant⁶. Une douleur dans la région d’une Joint ne signifie donc pas automatiquement qu’il s’agit d’arthrite.

Joints allow you to move and use your hands. Age, certain injuries, and being overweight can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, but osteoarthritis is not simply a matter of inevitable wear and tear. A lack of physical activity can also weaken the muscles that support movement. Appropriate care can help manage pain and improve your ability to perform daily activities, even when joint changes persist.

How does a joint work and what can cause pain?

A joint connects bones, allows for certain movements, and can become painful when its nerve-containing tissues are irritated. Movable joints, such as the knee, contain cartilage, synovial fluid, a joint capsule, and ligaments. The table describes these joints. Not all joints between bones—particularly those in the skull—have this structure.

Cartilage covers the ends of bones and helps them glide smoothly by reducing friction. It can become thinner or damaged due to certain diseases or following an injury. Changes in the cartilage alone are not enough to explain the intensity of the pain.

Synovial fluid lubricates the joint and helps nourish the cartilage. Its composition and volume can change with age or due to inflammation. Hyaluronic acid is one of the substances involved in this lubrication.

The joint capsule forms a sheath around the joint. Its inner lining, called the synovial membrane, produces synovial fluid. Inflammation of this membrane can lead to fluid buildup and swelling.

Ligaments connect bones to each other and stabilize the joint. A sprain occurs when they are stretched or torn.

How to tell if my pain is coming from a joint, muscle, or nerve?

The location, stiffness, and sensations experienced can help distinguish between joint, muscle, or nerve pain. These clues overlap: none on its own is sufficient to make a diagnosis. Pain near a joint may also originate from a nearby tendon or nerve. Tendons are tissues that transmit force from muscles to bones.

Characteristics of Joint Pain

Pain may be located in or around a joint. It is not always easy to pinpoint exactly. Stiffness upon waking can make the first movements of the day difficult. Brief stiffness, often lasting less than 30 minutes, may accompany osteoarthritis. Stiffness that lasts longer may be a sign of inflammatory arthritis ⁷. Duration is just one indicator among many. Symptoms and physical examination do not always identify knee osteoarthritis, especially when it is in the early stages ⁸.

Swelling, warmth, or redness may indicate inflammation. A joint that has recently become warm and swollen requires a medical evaluation on the same day, even without a fever. A single cracking sound is not, on its own, sufficient to diagnose a condition.

Muscle pain

Muscle pain, or myalgia, can occur after unusual physical exertion. For example, muscles may be sore the day after a move. Taking a break from physical activity can relieve this soreness. There are other causes of muscle pain, and their progression may vary.

Nerve Pain

Neuropathic pain results from damage to or a disease of the nervous system that transmits sensations. This system includes the nerves, the spinal cord, and certain parts of the brain. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves inside the spine that transmits messages between the brain and the body. Neuropathic pain can feel like burning, electric shocks, tingling, or numbness. A nerve root is the part of a nerve connected to the spinal cord within the spine. In sciatica caused by a nerve root, pain may radiate from the buttock down the leg or to the foot. The painful area may therefore be distant from the original problem. These guidelines follow the clinical guidelines of the International Association for the Study of Pain. ⁹

What are the main causes of joint pain?

Causes of joint pain include osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, gout, injuries, and infections. Bursitis can also cause pain around a joint. The cause determines the treatment: an infection is not treated the same way as osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis: Changes Throughout the Entire Joint

Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage, the bone directly beneath it, and sometimes other tissues in the joint. It becomes more common with age, but it is not an inevitable consequence of aging. The bones may form bony growths called osteophytes, sometimes referred to as “parrot’s beaks.”

L’arthrose est la forme d’arthrite la plus fréquente. L’arthrose touche notamment les genoux, les hanches, les mains et la Spine. L’arthrose du Knee et l’arthrose de la Hip peuvent gêner la marche. Aux mains, la base du pouce et les articulations des doigts sont souvent concernées. La douleur peut augmenter pendant certaines activités. La raideur au réveil est souvent brève, mais ces manifestations varient.

The progression of osteoarthritis varies from person to person. A change visible on an X-ray does not necessarily mean that the pain will worsen at the same rate. Check out our guides on knee pain or hip pain.

Inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease: the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, particularly the synovial membrane. A review of 67 studies estimated its average prevalence at about 0.5% of the population, with significant variations among the studies ¹¹.

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands. It can cause prolonged morning stiffness—sometimes lasting more than an hour—as well as warm or swollen joints and general fatigue. Different or less painful symptoms are not sufficient to rule it out.

A prompt diagnosis allows for early medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These treatments can reduce symptoms, improve functional ability, and limit joint damage ¹². Physical therapy for pain caused by inflammation complements this medical care by helping to preserve mobility and strength.

Gout

Gout occurs when uric acid crystals build up in a joint and trigger inflammation. An attack can begin suddenly, often at night, with severe pain, redness, and swelling. The base of the big toe is a common site, especially during a first attack.

Certain foods high in purines, such as meat and seafood, are associated with gout. The body converts purines into uric acid. Alcohol—especially beer—being overweight, and certain diuretics are also associated with an increased risk. Diuretics are medications that increase the excretion of water in the urine ¹³. Do not stop taking a medication without consulting your prescribing healthcare provider. Medical treatment can relieve attacks and, when appropriate, lower uric acid levels to prevent future attacks ¹⁴.

Bursitis

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction around the joints. Bursitis is the inflammation of these sacs. Commonly affected areas include the shoulder, elbow, knee, heel, and hip. Our article on hip bursitis explains this condition.

Bursitis can result from prolonged pressure, an impact, or repetitive strain. Kneeling for long periods while cleaning is one possible example. Some cases of bursitis are caused by an infection. Temporarily reducing pressure and irritating movements can help alleviate non-infectious bursitis. Cold therapy or medication may provide relief, depending on the situation. A warm, swollen, or red area requires medical attention, especially if accompanied by a fever; an infection requires specific treatment.

Trauma and infections

After an injury, pain may be caused by a knee sprain, fracture, or dislocation. A dislocation occurs when bones are no longer properly aligned within the joint. A tear in the meniscus—a cartilage pad in the knee—is another possible cause. Severe pain following an accident, deformity, an inability to bear weight, or numbness requires urgent medical evaluation.

L’arthrite septique est une infection de l’Joint et constitue une urgence médicale. Une Joint nouvellement chaude et gonflée doit être évaluée le jour même, même sans fièvre. Avec de la fièvre, des frissons ou un malaise important, consultez sans attendre, selon les conseils du NHS sur la Joint pain¹⁵.

Which joints can be painful?

Joint pain can affect the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, feet, and spine. Each area has different functions and potential problems.

The knee may become painful following a sprain. Patellar tendinitis affects the tendon beneath the patella, the bone at the front of the knee. Goosefoot tendinitis affects the tendons on the inner side of the knee, just below the joint. These conditions can also cause pain around the knee. Body weight influences the forces exerted during walking. In a study of 142 older adults who were overweight or obese and had knee osteoarthritis, each kilogram lost was associated with approximately four kilograms less force on the knee with each step ¹⁷.

The shoulder allows you to lift and rotate your arm. Frozen shoulder, which causes significant stiffness, and calcific tendinitis, which involves calcium deposits in a tendon, can cause pain in this area. Check out our guide on shoulder pain.

Pain in your hands can make it difficult to go grocery shopping or cook. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves a compressed nerve in the wrist and can cause pain or numbness in the hand. Osteoarthritis often affects the base of the thumb and the finger joints.

Facet syndrome refers to pain attributed to the small joints between the vertebrae. These joints can contribute to back pain, but they do not account for all pain in this area. Lumbar osteoarthritis affects the lower back, while cervical osteoarthritis affects the neck. See our guide on back pain.

How does aging affect your joints?

Le vieillissement modifie le Cartilage, les Ligaments, les muscles et les os des articulations. Le Cartilage peut s’amincir et ses cellules réparent moins efficacement certains dommages. Les muscles peuvent perdre de la force et le renouvellement de l’os peut changer. Ces changements contribuent au risque d’arthrose sans la rendre inévitable¹⁸. Une étude sur des genoux sans arthrose a aussi observé une concentration plus faible d’acide hyaluronique dans le Synovial fluid chez les donneurs plus âgés¹⁹.

Age-related changes alone do not determine the presence of pain. In a review of knee studies, some people had osteoarthritis visible on X-rays but experienced no pain, while others had pain without visible osteoarthritis. The proportions varied widely across studies ²⁰. The healthcare professional therefore interprets the imaging results in conjunction with your symptoms and physical examination.

L’exercice aide à entretenir la force des muscles, la mobilité et les os. Les exercices de renforcement peuvent ralentir la perte de force et contribuer au maintien de la densité osseuse, c’est-à-dire la quantité de matière dans les os. Les exercices de souplesse aident à conserver les mouvements utiles au quotidien, selon les conseils du NHS sur la force et la souplesse²¹. La marche, le vélo, les activités aquatiques et le yoga adapté sont des options à choisir selon vos capacités.

When should you seek help for joint pain?

A joint that has recently become warm and swollen requires medical attention on the same day, even without a fever. After an accident, severe pain, deformity, an inability to walk or bear weight, or numbness require urgent medical attention. Persistent pain that interferes with your daily activities also warrants an evaluation, depending on the circumstances described below.

Emergency Signs

A dislocated joint or an inability to walk or put weight on a limb requires an evaluation in the emergency room, even if there is no visible injury. Call 911 if you need immediate assistance getting there.

Quick consultation

Seek medical attention if the pain does not improve after about two weeks, interferes with your daily activities or sleep, or causes you to limp. Stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes upon waking, pain in multiple joints, or pain or swelling that worsens or recurs also warrant evaluation.

Un enfant avec un problème articulaire devrait être évalué. Ces repères viennent des conseils du NHS sur la Joint pain¹⁵; le délai de deux semaines ne s’applique pas aux signes urgents.

When to Wait

Mild pain after unusual physical activity can be monitored if it gradually subsides without swelling, warmth, or other warning signs. Temporarily reduce the activity that is causing the pain and stick to movements that are comfortable. See a doctor if the pain stops improving or if new symptoms appear.

How Can Physical Therapy Help Manage Your Joint Pain?

Physical therapy can reduce pain and improve functional ability through exercise, education, and treatment tailored to the underlying cause. For knee or hip osteoarthritis, exercise is one of the first recommended treatments and has a good safety profile ². An indirect comparison of trials on knee osteoarthritis found similar average effects on pain for exercise and pain medications ²². This comparison does not prove that both options are equally suitable for every person. An infection or inflammatory arthritis also requires specific medical care.

Therapeutic Exercises

Your physical therapist will work with you to choose the exercises and determine how to progress through them.

The recommended exercises, how to progress through them, and activities to adapt are described in our physical therapy guide for joint pain.

Manual techniques and education

Les mobilisations articulaires sont des mouvements que le physiothérapeute applique à une Joint. Dans un essai sur 109 personnes atteintes d’arthrose de la Hip, un programme de Manual therapy a amélioré davantage la douleur, la raideur et les mouvements qu’un programme d’exercices. Après cinq semaines, 81 % du groupe de Manual therapy rapportait une amélioration générale, contre 50 % du groupe d’exercices. Certains bénéfices étaient encore présents à 29 semaines²³. Ces résultats concernent les programmes comparés dans cet essai. Les recommandations du NICE sur l’arthrose²⁴ proposent d’utiliser la Manual therapy avec l’exercice pour l’arthrose du Knee ou de la Hip.

Learning about your condition helps you understand your symptoms, adjust your activity levels, and gradually resume your activities. Your physical therapist can also examine the muscles and other tissues around the joint to tailor your treatment.

If your joint pain is affecting your quality of life, our physical therapists can develop a personalized plan for you. Check out our guide to physical therapy.

What other treatments are available for joint pain?

Other treatments for joint pain include certain medications, adjustments to your activity level, and, in some cases, surgery. The choice of treatment depends on the cause, your other health conditions, and your preferences. Weight loss may also help some overweight people with knee osteoarthritis.

Medications

Un médecin ou un pharmacien peut vous aider à choisir un Medication et à vérifier les interactions. Les anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens, abrégés AINS, comprennent l’ibuprofène et le naproxène. Pour l’arthrose du Knee, une forme appliquée sur la peau peut être proposée avant les comprimés. Les recommandations du NICE sur l’arthrose²⁴ recommandent de tenir compte des bénéfices et des risques de chaque option.

Dans un essai sur 140 personnes atteintes d’arthrose du Knee, une injection de cortisone tous les trois mois pendant deux ans a entraîné davantage de perte de Cartilage qu’une injection d’eau salée. Ce programme n’a pas mieux soulagé la douleur sur cette période²⁵. Ce résultat ne décrit pas l’effet de toute injection ponctuelle. Pour l’acétaminophène, respectez la dose indiquée et évitez de cumuler plusieurs produits qui en contiennent. Consultez votre pharmacien au besoin, comme le recommandent les conseils du NHS sur le paracétamol, aussi appelé acétaminophène²⁶.

Complementary approaches

La chaleur peut procurer du confort et aider à détendre les muscles. Le froid peut soulager temporairement une Joint douloureuse. De petits essais sur des arthrites du Knee non infectieuses ont aussi observé une baisse de la douleur et de certains signes d’inflammation pendant les 24 heures suivant le traitement. Les changements mesurés dans le liquide articulaire concernaient surtout les arthrites liées à des cristaux, comme Gout²⁷²⁸. Ces résultats ne prouvent pas un effet identique pour toute Joint ni un traitement de la cause. Protégez la peau avec un tissu et limitez une application de froid à 20 minutes. Une Joint nouvellement chaude et gonflée doit être évaluée médicalement.

Les injections d’acide hyaluronique visent à modifier le liquide d’un Knee atteint d’arthrose. Dans une revue, les grands essais où les résultats étaient évalués à l’aveugle trouvaient un bénéfice trop faible pour être important en pratique. Un risque accru d’effets indésirables sérieux était aussi observé dans les essais qui les rapportaient²⁹. Dans ces essais, les personnes qui évaluaient les résultats ignoraient le traitement reçu par chaque participant. Cette méthode vise à limiter l’influence de leurs attentes sur l’évaluation. Les recommandations du NICE sur l’arthrose²⁴ ne recommandent pas ces injections pour l’arthrose.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are no substitute for exercise. In a trial involving 662 people with knee osteoarthritis, these products—either alone or in combination—did not provide any significant benefit in terms of pain or daily activities compared to a placebo over a two-year period. A placebo looks like the treatment but does not contain the substance being studied ³⁰. Side effects were similar across the groups in this trial, which does not guarantee their safety for every individual. Discuss supplements and possible interactions with your pharmacist.

Surgery and Lifestyle

Un remplacement articulaire peut être envisagé lorsque l’arthrose affecte fortement la qualité de vie et que les soins sans chirurgie sont insuffisants ou ne conviennent pas. Les recommandations du NICE sur l’arthrose²⁴ proposent cette évaluation selon les symptômes et les besoins, plutôt que selon un score chiffré seul. Il n’est pas nécessaire de répéter indéfiniment chaque traitement avant d’en discuter.

In a cohort of 626 people who underwent surgery for advanced osteoarthritis, approximately 80% of those with a knee replacement and 86% of those with a hip replacement achieved a good outcome at five years. This outcome corresponded to an improvement deemed sufficient based on a questionnaire assessing pain, stiffness, and activities ³¹. A joint replacement replaces the joint surfaces with artificial components. The surgery does not guarantee the elimination of all pain and requires a recovery period.

For an overweight person with knee osteoarthritis, weight loss can reduce the forces exerted while walking. Appropriate support can help you make realistic changes. Regular activity also helps maintain strength and function; a period of reduced activity does not mean your joints are bound to become more painful.

Frequently asked questions about joint pain

Frequently asked questions about joint pain cover topics such as arthritis, joint creaking, aging, ways to manage discomfort, exercise, supplements, and surgery.

Joint pain does not automatically mean arthritis and can often be managed with treatment tailored to its cause. Exercise, measures to improve comfort, and surgery are indicated in different situations.

Does joint pain mean I have arthritis?

Pain near a joint isn't always caused by arthritis. Bursitis, tendinitis, an injury, or repetitive strain can also be the cause. A healthcare professional will examine your symptoms and range of motion to determine the cause.

Is it normal for my joints to crack?

Un craquement sans douleur n’indique pas automatiquement une maladie. Une étude auprès de 215 adultes n’a pas trouvé d’association entre l’habitude de faire craquer les doigts et l’arthrose de la main³². Dans une autre expérience sur dix articulations des doigts, l’imagerie montrait la formation rapide d’une cavité dans le liquide articulaire au moment du craquement³³. Ce mécanisme n’explique pas tous les bruits articulaires. Consultez si le bruit s’accompagne de douleur, de Swelling ou d’un blocage.

Will joint pain get worse with age?

Joint pain does not automatically worsen with age. Symptoms may progress differently from visible changes in the joint. Appropriate physical activity, regular exercise, and, when necessary, weight management can help you maintain your mobility.

Is cold or heat better?

Heat can improve comfort and relax muscles; cold can temporarily relieve pain. Small studies on certain types of knee arthritis also show short-term changes in inflammation, though they do not prove the same effect for all types of joint pain. Choose the treatment that provides you with relief, protect your skin, and avoid extreme temperatures. A joint that has recently become warm and swollen requires medical attention, even if cold therapy provides relief.

Can I exercise despite my pain?

Exercise is recommended for knee and hip osteoarthritis, with an appropriate progression. It can improve strength, functional ability, and pain relief despite initial discomfort. However, a recent injury or a warm, swollen joint requires an evaluation before following these recommendations.

Do glucosamine and chondroitin work?

Glucosamine and chondroitin did not show any significant benefit in terms of pain or activity levels in the two-year trial described above. They are not a substitute for exercise. Ask your pharmacist if a supplement is appropriate for your situation and your other medications.

When is surgery necessary?

Joint replacement may be considered when osteoarthritis significantly limits your quality of life despite appropriate non-surgical treatment, or when such treatment is not suitable. This decision is made in consultation with a medical team that evaluates the expected benefits, risks, and your priorities. Advanced osteoarthritis may respond well to this surgery, but no surgery guarantees a perfect outcome.

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Nos physiothérapeutes ont défini la stratégie de recherche, le plan et le contenu clinique de cet article. Un outil d’IA a soutenu la recherche documentaire et la révision du texte pour assurer une cohérence du contenu et du style d’écriture.