Joint Pain Specialist
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Center For Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgeons & Foot and Ankle Specialists located in Lubbock, TX
Your body has approximately 200 joints that allow movement. While this number is impressive, it also means there’s plenty of room for things to wrong, and they often do. Whether through an acute injury or a degenerative condition, joint pain is very common and, luckily, there’s a lot that can be done to treat it. At the Center for Orthopedic Surgery, the team of doctors helps their patients in Lubbock, Texas, deal with all kinds of joint pain, providing effective treatments that bring lasting relief. If you’re experiencing joint pain, call or schedule an appointment online today.
Joint Pain Q & A
What are the components of a joint?
In order to better understand joint pain, it’s helpful to review the anatomy of a joint so you can see where problems may crop up. Joints are found wherever bones connect, providing movement between bones. Each of your joints contains the following components:
- Cartilage, which covers the surface of the bones to prevent friction
- Synovial membrane for protection, and synovial fluid for lubrication
- Ligaments that connect and support the bones
- Tendons, which attach your muscles to the bones
- Bursae, which provide cushioning
All these parts work together to provide smooth movement in your joints.
What are common causes of joint pain?
Joint pain is a broad term that includes a host of problems, especially given the number of working parts in most of your joints. The most common problems include:
Arthritis
The very definition of arthritis is joint pain. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but the two most common, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can wreak havoc on your joints. Osteoarthritis, which is more common, involves the breakdown of the cartilage in your joints, which allows your bones to rub together painfully. RA is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your joints.
Injury
Regardless of whether you’re active or not, joint injuries are fairly common. From a torn ligament in your knee to shoulder injuries, joints can succumb to twisting, straining, overextending, and other stressors that may injure your joint.
Bursitis
When your bursae become inflamed, it can cause considerable pain, since these sacs provide valuable cushioning inside your joint.
Systemic diseases
There are several diseases that can have a major impact on how your joints function, including Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, lupus, and complex regional pain syndrome, to name just a few.
Tendinitis
When the tendons in your joints are worn down over time, tendinitis can develop, which is characterized by swelling and pain in your joints.
These examples highlight the many problems that can affect your joints, and the best way to get to the bottom of your joint pain is with the help of an orthopedist at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery.
What are the treatments for joint pain?
There is no single answer, since treatment for joint pain depends on the source of the pain. The doctors at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools, including advanced imaging, to properly identify the source of your joint pain and get treatment started as soon as possible. Treatments options include:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Physical therapy
- Medications for inflammation and pain
- Bracing
- Surgery
If surgical intervention is necessary, it’s often in the form of a joint replacement or joint repair, depending on your situation. The doctors at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery are experts in this field, so you can be sure they’ll remedy your joint pain and get you moving freely again.
If you’re experiencing joint pain, call or schedule an appointment online today.
