Joint pain

Joint pain can affect one or more joints.

Causes

Joint pain can be caused by many types of injuries or conditions. It may be linked to arthritis, bursitis, and muscle pain. No matter what causes it, joint pain can be very bothersome.

Some things that can cause joint pain are:

• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Bursitis
• Chondromalacia patellae
• Crystals in the joint -- gout (especially found in the big toe) and CPPD arthritis (pseudogout)
• Infections caused by a virus
• Injury, such as a fracture
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Septic arthritis (joint infection)
• Tendinitis
• Unusual exertion or overuse, including strains or sprains

Signs of joint inflammation include:

• Swelling
• Warmth
• Tenderness
• Redness
• Pain with movement