Understanding Joint Inflammation: Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms

Joint inflammation can lead to swollen, painful joints. Possible causes of joint inflammation include injuries and inflammatory arthritis. Treatment can depend on the underlying condition.

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Tender, warm, swollen joints, joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite are typical symptoms. Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first — particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet.

Medical News Today provides a comprehensive overview of joint inflammation, its causes, and potential treatments.

Joint discomfort is common and usually felt in the hands, feet, hips, knees, or spine. Pain may be constant or it can come and go. Sometimes the joint can feel stiff, achy, or sore. Some patients complain of a burning, throbbing, or “grating” sensation.

Causes of joint pain include Adult Still’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis), bone cancer, broken bone, bursitis, complex regional pain syndrome, depression (major depressive disorder), fibromyalgia, gout, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and leukemia.

Mayo Clinic discusses the symptoms and causes of arthritis, offering insights into this common condition.

Some forms of arthritis result from natural wear and tear. Other types come from autoimmune diseases or inflammatory conditions. There are a variety of treatments for arthritis, ranging from physical or occupational therapy to joint surgery. Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and recommend the right treatment plan for your needs.

Cleveland Clinic examines the symptoms, causes, and treatment of joint pain, providing valuable information for those experiencing this condition.

Symptoms commonly associated with arthritis include joint swelling, pain, and stiffness, and a reduced range of motion. “Arthritis” is a term that refers to a group of conditions affecting the joints.

When accompanied by other symptoms like joint pain and inflammation, a low-grade fever may be an early warning sign that you’re having an RA flare. Numbness and tingling can occur when tendons are inflamed.