Joint Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Joint Pain?
A primary care doctor can often start the check-up for joint pain. You may be sent to a rheumatologist, a doctor who treats arthritis and other joint diseases, or an orthopedic doctor, a bone and joint specialist. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is joint pain?
Joint pain can affect one or more joints. Joints are places where two or more bones come together. Your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and knuckles are all joints. Joints also include soft tissues around them, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Many types of injuries or conditions can cause joint pain.
Symptoms
Signs that a joint is inflamed, which means irritated and swollen, include:
- Swelling.
- Warmth.
- Tenderness.
- Redness.
- Pain with movement.
Many diseases that affect the joints often cause joint pain and make joints stiff, red, or swollen.
Causes and who gets it
Joint pain may be linked to arthritis, bursitis, and muscle pain. Other causes include:
- Autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.
- Bursitis, where the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that pads the joint, becomes irritated and swollen.
- Tendinitis, which happens when you overuse a tendon. It swells and makes the joint painful to move.
- Crystals in the joint, such as in gout and pseudogout.
- Injury, such as a fracture, or unusual exertion or overuse, including strains or sprains.
- Infection of the joint (septic arthritis), of the bone, or by a virus.
Overuse injuries can happen when you work a joint too hard by doing the same movements over and over. A joint injury when you are young may cause osteoarthritis later in life.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms. Questions may cover which joint hurts, what started the pain, and whether you have been hurt or had a fever or rash.
A physical exam looks for swelling, tenderness, warmth, and pain with motion. Tests that may be done include blood tests, such as a complete blood count and tests for autoimmune diseases. Other tests are a joint x-ray and joint aspiration, which takes fluid from the joint to check for infection and crystals.
Treatment
Follow your provider's advice for treating the cause of your pain. For joint pain that is not from arthritis, both rest and exercise are important. Warm baths, massage, and stretching exercises can help. Acetaminophen may help the soreness feel better. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may help relieve pain and swelling. Talk to your provider before giving aspirin or NSAIDs to children.
Other treatments may include:
- A corticosteroid medicine injected into the joint.
- Physical therapy to rebuild muscle and joint strength.
- Antibiotics and often surgical drainage for an infection, which usually requires hospitalization.
For bursitis and tendinitis, treatment usually includes rest, keeping the joint higher than your heart, and medicine to reduce swelling. If these do not help, you may need surgery. Getting enough physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to prevent or slow joint disorders.
When to see a doctor
A dislocated joint, where the bones are pushed or pulled out of position, is a medical emergency, so go to the emergency room. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if joint pain comes with chest pain, trouble breathing, or fainting.
Contact your provider right away if you have joint pain and swelling with a fever, because an infection in the joint can cause these signs. Also call about a fever that is not linked to flu symptoms. Call if you have lost 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or more without trying. Call if your joint pain lasts more than several days. Call if you have severe, unexplained joint pain and swelling, especially with other unexplained symptoms. You should also call if you cannot put weight on the joint after a sports injury.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can ask about your symptoms, examine the joint, order blood tests or x-rays, and refer you to a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor if needed.
Common questions
What causes joint pain?
Many types of injuries or conditions can cause joint pain. Examples include arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, infections, gout, and sprains or strains.
Does joint pain always mean arthritis?
No, joint pain may be linked to arthritis, but it can also come from other causes. Bursitis, tendinitis, injuries, and infections can also cause it.
Can exercise help joint pain?
Yes, for joint pain that is not from arthritis, both rest and exercise are important. Getting enough physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to prevent or slow joint disorders. If you already have joint problems, ask your provider what type of activities are best for you.
When should I call a doctor about joint pain?
Contact your provider right away if joint pain and swelling come with a fever. Also call if your joint pain lasts for more than several days, or if you have a fever that is not from the flu.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
