4 Steps to Take Back Your Life From Joint Pain

Millions of Americans suffer from pain, stiffness and weakness in the joints. If you are one of those people, it may be time to seek help. Follow these steps toward less pain and more mobility.

Assess Your Pain

An important first step in taking back your life from joint pain is knowing when it’s time to see a doctor. If your pain keeps you from doing things you enjoy like gardening or performing daily activities like walking up and downstairs, or if medication no longer works to ease your discomfort, then it may be time to talk with an orthopedic specialist to learn more about the options for treating your pain. An orthopedist can assess your situation and work closely with you to determine the best treatment approach for you.

Keep a Diary of Your Pain

Once you’ve decided to talk to a doctor about your pain, keeping a pain diary is a good way to prepare for your appointment. Tracking the timing and intensity of your symptoms and noting which relief options you've already tried can help inform the conversation with your physician, and lead him or her to the most effective treatment approach for you.

Learn about Treatment Options Your Doctor May Recommend

There are many treatment options available, and not every option is right for every person. Pain management and treatment approaches can depend upon the cause or severity of your discomfort you’re your desired outcome. Recommended treatment approaches may include:

• Exercise (such as walking, swimming, cycling, and stretching)
• Walking aids
• Physical therapy
• Medications (prescription, non-prescription, supplements, and injections)
• Alternative therapy (such as acupuncture)
• Surgery
  • Arthroscopy (a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the doctor to see inside the joint, make a diagnosis and decide the treatment approach)
  • Joint replacement (full or partial replacement to alleviate severe pain and get you moving again)

Find a Physician

Orthopedists affiliated with Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital are experienced in advanced minimally invasive joint repair and replacement techniques. Find an orthopedist.

Watch: Zohair Alam, MD, medical director, Joint Center, Holy Cross Hospital, discusses when it's time to see a doctor for joint pain, and how the pain is diagnosed and treated.

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Holy Cross Health presents the information in this blog as a resource for our community. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice or to endorse any particular entity or service. Personal health problems should be brought to the attention of the appropriate health professionals.