Injury to the Joint or Body
If you break a bone, sprain a muscle or otherwise injure a part of your body, that can lead to chronic joint pain. Inflamed tendons, called tendinitis, can also cause joint pain. It is also common for an illness or infection to affect the joints, leading to chronic pain. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) says that infections like measles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella and rheumatic fever can all result in joint pain. Infections like the flu, hepatitis, Lyme disease and Epstein-Barr disease can also cause pain in the joints.
Diseases
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Both osteoarthritis, which occurs when joints begin to break down from age or overuse, and the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint pain. Both types of arthritis can cause chronic pain, stiffness and limited motion and use of the joints. Bursitis is a condition in which the bursa, small pouches of fluid in the joints that offer protection, become inflamed. Bursitis can cause significant joint pain, say experts at the NLM.
Overuse of the Joint
Long-term overuse can lead to osteoarthritis, but you can also develop joint pain if you work a joint particularly hard in a short period of time. If you try to run a marathon or long race without proper training, play a sport like tennis or take a bike ride--anything that is hard on the joints--you can cause temporary damage to the joint and feel pain. If you are starting an exercise program, take it slowly and don't ask your sensitive joints--knees, hips, ankles and wrists to do more than they are ready to do. If you do, you'll pay for it in joint pain.
Easing Joint Pain
If joint pain is plaguing you, be kind to your joints and give them a rest until they heal--particularly if you have overused or injured your joint. Try taking an anti-inflammatory drug to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain in the sore joint. You can also gently massage the joint and try to slowly stretch the muscles. You can apply heat or soak the joint in a warm bath or shower for better relief. Once you are ready, start exercising the joint again--just be careful not to injure or overwork the joint.
