When to Visit Urgent Care for Joint Pain?

August 15, 2023

Finding out joint pain and its cause on your own is difficult. It is essential to consult a health care provider or an orthopedic specialist to solve your problem. Joint pain demands care and timely evaluation due to the pain and various potential causes. Understanding the level of pain and circumstances is crucial in the early stages for the longevity of your joint health.

This article will help you explore the symptoms, cause of pain, when to seek urgent medical care, diagnosis, and treatment.  If you’re experiencing joint pain, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for a full diagnosis and treatment plan today!

Joint Pain: Signs and Symptoms

Different types of joint pain may appear, frequently accompanied by discomfort and functional restrictions. Mild to severe indicators and symptoms include:

  • Generalized body ache
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling in specific areas of joint
  • Redness and burning sensation
  • Difficulty in movement
  • Muscle weakness
  •  Degenerative conditions like Arthritis
  • Injuries
  • Auto-immune disorders

Recognizing these symptoms requires sudden medical care, which can aid in the proper diagnosis and cause of these symptoms. You will get appropriate treatment as well.

Causes of Joint Pain

There are numerous causes of joint pain, each with a unique combination of contributing elements. Several typical reasons for joint discomfort include:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Septic Arthritis
  • Physical injuries
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Poor lifestyles like obesity and lack of exercise

Diagnosis

Joint pain diagnosis involves a comprehensive approach, including medical history, physical examination, imaging, blood tests, and joint fluid analysis. An orthopedic specialist diagnoses the cause using X-rays, CT Scans, and MRI to assess the abnormalities and fractures.

Treatment options include conservative measures like rest, physical therapy, pain management, or specialized interventions depending on the cause. Your consultant will also treat the condition with painkillers to reduce inflammation.

Seek Urgent Care

In mild cases, painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents can reduce the pain and provide relief. Knowing when to seek urgent medical care to prevent complete joint damage is essential. Following are the symptoms that include:

  • Constant pain: If you are experiencing constant pain in your specific joint for two to three days, it’s time to consult the health care provider. You will indeed receive effective treatment.
  • Immediate pain: Immediate and severe pain indicates the injury to your joint. Seeking urgent medical care would be appropriate.
  • Immobility: Immobility or friction in your joint indicates that this is a synovial fluid issue. For the proper diagnosis, immediate medical care is crucial.
  • Hyperthermia: High fever persisting for the last two to three days indicates that you suffer from a severe joint infection. Your consultant will better diagnose and treat if consulted on time.

Get Same-Day Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Stoneham

Recognizing the right timing for joint pain is crucial for maintaining health and quality of life. Understanding the severity, underlying causes, and symptoms helps individuals make informed decisions. Urgent care facilities offer specialized care, preventing complications and promoting recovery.

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