Arthralgia - Causes - Better Medicine

What causes arthralgia?

There are many causes of arthralgia. Arthralgia with sudden joint pain may be caused by an injury, while arthralgia that develops and worsens over time may be due to an underlying disease or disorder. The most common cause of arthralgia is arthritis, which is inflammation of the joints.

Arthritic causes of arthralgia

Inflammation due to arthritis can cause joint pain. Examples of arthritic causes of arthralgia include:

Gout (type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the joints)
Osteoarthritis
Reiter’s syndrome (form of arthritis)
Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation)
Septic arthritis (infectious arthritis)

Traumatic causes of arthralgia

A number of common injuries can cause joint pain. These injuries include:

Broken bones
Dislocation of bones
Herniated disc (ruptured or slipped disc)
Injury caused by overuse of a joint
Nerve entrapment or compression (pinched nerve)
Repetitive motion disorders
Sprains and strains
Stress fractures
Tendon rupture

Infectious causes of arthralgia

A number of infectious diseases can cause arthralgia. These diseases include:

Hepatitis
Influenza (flu)
Measles (contagious viral infection also known as rubeola)
Mononucleosis (viral infection)
Mumps (viral infection of the salivary glands in the neck)

Other causes of arthralgia

Other causes of arthralgia include:

Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa sac that cushions a joint)
Leukemia (cancer of the blood or bone marrow)
Medication side effects or allergic reaction to medication
Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
Spondylitis (infection or inflammation of the spinal joints)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues)
Tendinitis
Tumors of the bone, joints, or soft tissues

What are the risk factors for arthralgia?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing arthralgia. Not all people with risk factors will get arthralgia. Risk factors for arthralgia include:

Advanced age
Obesity
Participation in repetitive activities that put pressure on the joint
Previous joint injury

INTRODUCTION

What is arthralgia?

Arthralgia is pain in one or more of your joints. The pain may be described as sharp, dull, stabbing, burning or throbbing, and may range in intensity from mild to severe. There are many causes of arthralgia, including injury, infection, arthritis, and other ailments. The most common cause is arthritis, which is inflammation of the joints. There are many different types of arthritis.... Read more about arthralgia introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of arthralgia?

The primary symptom of arthralgia is joint pain. The pain may be described as sharp, dull, stabbing, burning or throbbing. It may range in intensity from mild to severe. The joint pain may appear suddenly or develop and worsen over time.... Read more about arthralgia symptoms

TREATMENTS

How is arthralgia treated?

Treatment for arthralgia begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. Treatment will vary depending on the joint that is affected, the severity of the pain, and the underlying cause. Treatment will address the underlying cause and will aim to alleviate or manage symptoms.... Read more about arthralgia treatments