Joint pain is a symptom itself for many serious and moderate infections and diseases. But sometimes this pain is a problem in itself and does not signify any underlying medical problem. Joint pain without any underlying cause or with it, can be very troublesome and irritating as it reduces the movements and efficiency of the person. In any weight bearing joint, it can even restrict the person to bed.

Sometimes pain, swelling, sprain and straining of muscles which are not attached to any joint can make one feel pain in the joint. Such pains are not joint pains as they are not related to joint it is just the restriction caused by the strained muscle which makes one feel the pain in the joint. It is caused by hindrance in the normal functioning of joints which can be caused by infection, muscle or ligament rupture, cartilage damage and lack of synovial fluid.

If one feels pain in any one or more joints after getting out of bed in the morning or after a period of inactivity, it is a symptom of this problem. Such pain either subsides on its own or after some movement. If one feels lack of strength in the joints like it becomes difficult to hold a cup of coffee without keeping it down or getting up form sitting position or to squat is a symptom of joint pain. The lack of strength in the joints occur due to muscles attached to the joint and responsible for its movement get weak, this weakness in the muscles disturb the normal movement of the joint and makes ligaments lax to promote pain in the joints later. Other condition caused due to muscle weakness is reduced range of motion. The joint does not allow the movement in the range as it used to be in past like bending down or lifting things lying on the ground become more and more difficult. Reduced range of motion is also a symptom of arthritic joint pain.

Stiffness in the joint after even a mild physical activity like climbing few ladders or walking, is also a symptom of pain in the joints. This symptom can be due to weak ligaments or muscles and even due to lack of elasticity in the cartilages. These symptoms also indicate presence of serious disorder or infection in the body which will promote pain and inflammation in later stages.

Redness around joints can be due to some skin infection too which may not be a symptom of joint pain but if it is present at more than two or three joints than it indicates for an infection either in the synovial fluid or lining of the joint or in the tissues of the joints. This condition is also a primary symptom of joint pain due to gout arthritis, redness occurs when infection or crystals of urate are attacked by the body's immunity system. Development of tender points at the joints is also a symptom of joint pain. These tender points sometimes are not painful at the initial stage but they are sensitive and may cause pain if pressed or touched. Awkward growths at the joints which may be hard or soft in texture suggest possibility of joint pain in near future.