Joint pain can be caused by several types of diseases, injuries or other conditions. No matter the cause, joint pain can cause you a lot of pain, and even take away your independence. The pain can cause you to limit your mobility. If you lose your mobility this is what will take away your independence.

Treating the pain is generally an easy task, but the cause must be treated as well. If you had an injury, that is usually an obvious cause for the joint pain. If there has been no injury it is not so easy to diagnose. If there is fever associated with the joint pain this could be an indication of a serious illness.

For instance, the joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is a function of the immune system destroying the cartilage in the joints affected. This will not be treated in the same way as pain due to Fibromyalgia. Both will be treated with pain medicines, but physical therapy, steroids or other medications might be used as well.

Most treatments will include something to reduce your pain. Antibiotic therapy will be included if you have an infection, physical therapy may also be a part of your treatment plan, as well as exercise to keep your joint limber. There are other medications that might be used as well depending on the cause of your pain.

Arthritis is also a major cause of joint pain, especially in people older than 45. Arthritis can be caused by several things including overuse of the joint, sports injuries, and deterioration of the joints due to aging. There are treatments that can help or turn around the damage and pain that have been caused. Your doctor will prescribe your treatment plan. Some things you can expect might include physical therapy, pain medication, surgery, or even total loss of use in that joint (this is rare).

If an infection is present then you will probably be put on antibiotics, and other medications to treat this. You will also be given pain medications to help you with the pain until the infection subsides. If it is due to a disease, the disease will be treated with medications and you will be given something to help with the pain as well. If you have an injury, that will be treated and physical therapy will also possibly be ordered to help you to gain back your range of motion.

Surgery such as knee or hip replacements, are often done if the injury or disease is irreversible and this is the only way to keep you independent. You will require physical therapy and pain medications to get you through this treatment as well. Treatments are all geared to keeping you Independent.